Ear and audiology: nerve supply of middle ear muscles: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Ear and audiology: nerve supply of middle ear muscles

Sample item

Which pairing of middle ear muscle and nerve supply is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Stapedius: facial nerve; tensor tympani: mandibular nerve

The stapedius arises from the pyramid and is supplied by the nerve to stapedius from the facial nerve. The tensor tympani is supplied by the nerve to medial pterygoid, a branch of the mandibular division. The stapedius is the smallest striated muscle in the body.

Option by option

  • A. Stapedius: mandibular nerve; tensor tympani: facial nerve

    This reverses the correct supply.

  • B. Stapedius: glossopharyngeal nerve; tensor tympani: facial nerve

    The glossopharyngeal nerve gives Jacobson's nerve to the tympanic plexus, not motor supply.

  • C. Stapedius: facial nerve; tensor tympani: mandibular nerve (correct)

    Correct. The stapedius is a facial muscle and the tensor tympani a branchial arch 1 muscle.

  • D. Both muscles: facial nerve

    The tensor tympani is from the first arch and supplied by V3.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Stapedius: facial nerve; tensor tympani: mandibular nerve. The stapedius arises from the pyramid and is supplied by the nerve to stapedius from the facial nerve.

Why is "Stapedius: mandibular nerve; tensor tympani: facial nerve" not the answer?

This reverses the correct supply.

Why is "Stapedius: glossopharyngeal nerve; tensor tympani: facial nerve" not the answer?

The glossopharyngeal nerve gives Jacobson's nerve to the tympanic plexus, not motor supply.

Why is "Both muscles: facial nerve" not the answer?

The tensor tympani is from the first arch and supplied by V3.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: nerve supply of middle ear muscles in ENT. The tensor tympani is supplied by the nerve to medial pterygoid, a branch of the mandibular division. The stapedius is the smallest striated muscle in the body.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Ear and audiology: nerve supply of middle ear muscles?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.