Pharynx and Larynx

Question 1

A small piece of potato chip wasaspirated into the laryngeal cavity and made it all the way to the infraglottic space before becoming trapped in the mucosa lining this area. This initiated a cough reflex which expelled the food out of the larynx. Which one of the following nerves was responsible for providing sensory innervation to the infraglottic space?
A. Internal laryngeal nerve B. External laryngeal nerveC. Superior laryngealnerve D. GlossopharyngealnerveE. Inferiorlaryngeal nerve

Answer 1

Correct answer E –inferior laryngeal nerveprovides sensory innervation to the infraglottic space. The laryngeal vestibule andlaryngeal ventricles are innervated by the internal laryngeal nerves.

Question 2

Duringa normal “gag”(pharyngeal) reflex, which one of the following nervesprovides the sensory limb (afferent) to the internal aspect of the pharynx? A. Ansa cervicalisB. Glossopharyngeal nerveC. Facial nerve D. Hypoglossal nerve E. Vagus nerve

Answer 2

Correct answer B –glossopharyngeal nerveprovides the sensory limb of the “gag”feflex. The vagus nerve provides the motor limb of the gag reflex.

Question 3

A 36-year-old opera singer has lost her ability to singthe high notes requiredin the production ofThe Magic Flutethat she currently stars in. You suspect there may bea problem with themuscle which tightens the vocal cords(increasing pitch). Which oneof the followingmuscles is responsible for this action?
A. CricothyroidB. Posterior cricoarytenoidC. ArytenoidsD. ThyroarytenoidE. Lateral cricoarytenoids

Answer 3

Correct answer A –the cricothyroid muscletilts the thyroid cartilage anteriorlytightening the vocal ligaments/cords. The thyroarytenoids decrease tension on the vocal cords. The posterior cricoarytenoids abduct the vocal cords. The lateral cricoarytenoids and arytenoids adduct the vocal cords.

Question 4

A middle-aged male comes to your office with complaints of a sudden onset of
hoarseness of the voice. Upon performing a direct laryngoscopy, you observethat one of the vocal folds will not adduct and is stuck in the paramedian position. Whichone of thefollowingmuscles results inthe action of adducting the vocal foldsand might be denervated?
A. CricothyroidB. Posterior cricoarytenoidC. AryepiglotticD. ThyroarytenoidE. Lateral cricoarytenoid

Answer 4

Correct answerE –Lateral cricoarytenoidisone of the muscles that adduct the vocal cords (the arytenoidmusclesalso adduct the arytenoid cartilages which results in adducted vocal cords). The cricothyroidtightensthe vocal ligaments/cords. The thyroarytenoids decrease tension on the vocal cords. The posterior cricoarytenoids abduct the vocal cords.

Question 5

A small chicken bone has become lodged in the piriform recess of the laryngopharynx. Which of the following nerves is susceptible to damage while removing this bone?A. Superiorlaryngeal nerve B. External laryngeal nerveC. Internallaryngealnerve D. GlossopharyngealnerveE. Inferiorlaryngeal nerve

Answer 5

Correct answer C –The internal laryngeal nervepasses deep to the mucosa lining the piriform recess.

Question 6

Which one of the following nerves does not provide innervation to the muscles which are involved in elevating the pharynx and larynx during swallowing?
A.Trigeminal B.FacialC.GlossopharyngealD.VagusE. Hypoglossal

Answer 6

Correct answer E –The hypoglossal nervedoes innervate the tongue muscles which assist in swallowing by pushing the bolus into the oropharynx but these muscles are not involved in elevating the pharynx and larynx. The trigeminal nerve innervatesthe anterior belly of digastricand mylohyoid muscles, the facial nerve innervates the posteriorbelly of digastric and the stylohyoid muscles, the glossopharyngeal nerve innervates stylopharyngeusand the vagus nerve innervates the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles.