glossopharyngeal neuralgia, a disorder of unknown origin characterized by recurrent attacks of severe pain in the back of the pharynx, the tonsils, the base of the tongue, and the middle ear. It tends to affect more men than women, with an onset after 40 years of age. Attacks lasting from a few seconds to minutes may be triggered by swallowing. The symptoms may be similar to those of trigeminal neuralgia. Treatment is usually pharmaceutic, but surgery may be recommended to sever involved nerve tracts.
