What is neck-tongue syndrome?
The neck-tongue syndrome (NTS) is a rare clinical entity characterized by paroxytic episodes of intense pain in upper cervical or occipital area associated with disorders of ipsilateral hemi-tongue presenting as numbness, pseudoathetosis, dysarthria, and lingual paralysis aggravated with neck movement1 , 2.
How is neck-tongue syndrome diagnosed?
According to the ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition) criteria,6 to be diagnosed as having NTS, a person must display: (A) at least two episodes fulfilling criteria BD; (B) sharp or stabbing unilateral pain in the upper neck and/or occipital region with concurrent abnormal …
Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause tongue pain?
Numbness of the tongue is either caused by the subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint or by restriction of the second cervical nerve. Some NTS cases are caused by accidents inducing neck injuries, such as motorcycle accidents. …
Neck-tongue syndrome | |
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Causes | Genetics |
Frequency | Rare |
How long does neck-tongue syndrome last?
Neck-tongue syndrome (NTS) is defined as unilateral upper neck and/or occipital pain accompanied by ipsilateral dysesthesia of the tongue. Symptoms typically last from a few seconds to 1 minute and are brought on by fast, sudden axial rotation of the head to either side.
Can neck problems affect your tongue?
The neck-tongue syndrome (NTS), consists of neck pain and altered sensation in the ipsilateral half of the tongue, caused by rapid neck movements, It has been attributed to damage to lingual afferent fibers going through the hypoglossal nerve to C2 spinal roots.
Is tongue connected to neck?
This exceptional bone is found at the root of the tongue just above the thyroid cartilage, below the chin, at the midline of the neck. The four muscles above or superior to the hyoid bone provide attachment to muscles that form the floor of the mouth.
What nerves affect your tongue?
The hypoglossal nerve enables tongue movement. It controls the hyoglossus, intrinsic, genioglossus and styloglossus muscles. These muscles help you speak, swallow and move substances around in your mouth.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck?
Symptoms of pinched nerve in the neck include:
- A sharp pain in the arm.
- Pain in the shoulder.
- A feeling of numbness or pins and needles in the arm.
- Weakness of the arm.
- Worsening pain when you move your neck or turn your head.
Is Glossopharyngeal neuralgia serious?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare condition in which there are repeated episodes of severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils. This can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
What does a tingly tongue mean?
The most common causes of a tingling tongue can usually be pinpointed to a specific experience, such as a dental procedure, allergic reaction, or burn. If none of these apply, a person should consider other symptoms that could indicate an underlying condition.
Can anxiety cause tongue tingling?
A tingling tongue is a relatively common oral symptom. Although it can sometimes be due to physical issues, such as nerve damage, anxiety can also lead to tingling.
Does Covid 19 affect the tongue?
Our observations are supported by a review of studies reporting changes to the mouth or tongue in people with COVID-19, published in December. The researchers found that having a dry mouth was the most common problem, followed by loss of taste (dysgeusia) and fungal infection (oral thrush).
What cervical nerve affects the tongue?
The hypoglossal nerve is mainly a somatic efferent (motor) nerve to innervate the tongue musculature. The nerve also contains some sympathetic postganglionic fibers from the cervical ganglia, which innervates tongue vessels and some small glands in the oral mucosa.
Can nerves affect your tongue?
Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage. Rarely, problems moving the tongue may also be caused by a disorder where the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short.
Why does my tongue feel like it’s being stabbed?
If you have a sore tongue, you may feel a dull, stabbing, shooting, burning, or pins-and-needles sensation. The tongue is composed mainly of muscle. A sore or painful tongue can result from infection, inflammation, trauma, malignancy and other abnormal processes of the tissues of the tongue.
What is paresthesia of the tongue?
Numbness or tingling (pins and needles) sensations in the tongue, medically known as paresthesia of the tongue, most commonly occur due to damage to the nervous system. The medical term for the absence of sensation is anesthesia.
What does a tongue tie look like in adults?
Other common signs of tongue-tie in adults include: problems sticking your tongue out of your mouth past your lower front teeth. trouble lifting your tongue up to touch your upper teeth, or moving your tongue from side to side. your tongue looks notched or heart-shaped when you stick it out.
What does no tongue tie look like?
Signs and symptoms Not being able to lift their tongue up towards the roof of their mouth. Having trouble moving their tongue side to side. A ‘V shape’ or ‘heart shape’ tongue tip. A flattened or square tongue tip.
How common is tongue thrust?
For example, according to recent literature, as many as 6795 percent of children 58 years old exhibit tongue thrust, which may professionally be represented as associated with or contributing to an orthodontic or speech problem – depending on the clinical bias of proposal.
What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?
B12 deficiency will also make the tongue sore and beefy-red in color. Glossitis, by causing swelling of the tongue, may also cause the tongue to appear smooth.
Which side of the brain controls the tongue?
There is an area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere called Broca’s area. It is next to the region that controls the movement of facial muscles, tongue, jaw and throat.
Why does the back of my tongue feel swollen?
A swollen tongue can result from infection, inflammation, allergy, genetic disorders, trauma, malignancy, metabolic diseases, and other abnormal processes. A chronically swollen tongue over a long period of time can be due to acromegaly, sarcoma, oral cancer, or Down syndrome.
How long does it take for pinched nerve in neck to heal?
For many people, pain from a pinched nerve in the neck will resolve on its own within 4 weeks. However, it is common for the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck to return over time. If the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy do not clear up, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments available.
How should I sleep with a pinched nerve in my neck?
How to sleep with cervical radiculopathy
- Sleeping on your back: This is the optimal sleeping position as it is the easiest to properly brace your head and position your neck. …
- Sleeping on your side: This position is not as preferred as laying on your back, but it is better than on your stomach.
What is the best treatment for a pinched nerve in your neck?
The most frequently recommended treatment for pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or aggravate the compression. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint or brace to immobilize the area.
How did I get Glossopharyngeal neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is generally caused by a small blood vessel that presses on the nerves as they exit the brainstem. This condition is caused by irritation of the ninth cranial nerve by a blood vessel, and is most commonly seen in people over age 40.
Can Glossopharyngeal neuralgia go away on its own?
People often say that the pains feel like electric shocks, and they can be triggered by swallowing, coughing, and sensations in the deep ear. Some patients may experience spontaneous remissions, where the pains go away for weeks, months, or even years. Others require treatment.
How does glossopharyngeal nerve affect the brain?
The glossopharyngeal nerve helps move the muscles of the throat and carries information from the throat, tonsils, and tongue to the brain. The cause is often unknown but sometimes is an abnormally positioned artery that puts pressure on (compresses) the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.