Sensation elicited by mechanical stimuli to the oropharyngeal mucosa.

An inaccurate localization of the site of stimulus, a higher two-point threshold for touch than those at lower lip or soft palate mucosae, and reference of touch sensation to the submaxillary cervical region following mechanical stimuli to the posterior oropharyngeal wall or lateral pharyngeal band were observed in the present study on otolaryngologists, medical students and patients with abnormal sensations in the throat. These results indicated that not only the somatic but also the visceral nervous system might contribute to the elicitation of sensation from the oropharyngeal structures behind the soft palate.