Pharynx and tonsils: pharyngeal muscle supply: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: pharyngeal muscle supply

Sample item

A patient has damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve. Which pharyngeal muscle, supplied exclusively by this nerve, is affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Stylopharyngeus

The stylopharyngeus is the only pharyngeal muscle supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve, being derived from the third pharyngeal arch. The other pharyngeal muscles receive motor fibres through the pharyngeal plexus from the vagus (cranial accessory). Cricopharyngeus also receives the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Salpingopharyngeus

    Salpingopharyngeus is supplied through the pharyngeal plexus.

  • B. Palatopharyngeus

    Palatopharyngeus is supplied through the pharyngeal plexus from X.

  • C. Inferior constrictor

    The inferior constrictor is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus and the external and recurrent laryngeal nerves.

  • D. Stylopharyngeus (correct)

    Correct. Stylopharyngeus is supplied by IX.

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 D, Stylopharyngeus. The stylopharyngeus is the only pharyngeal muscle supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve, being derived from the third pharyngeal arch.

Why is "Salpingopharyngeus" not the answer?

Salpingopharyngeus is supplied through the pharyngeal plexus.

Why is "Palatopharyngeus" not the answer?

Palatopharyngeus is supplied through the pharyngeal plexus from X.

Why is "Inferior constrictor" not the answer?

The inferior constrictor is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus and the external and recurrent laryngeal nerves.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: pharyngeal muscle supply in ENT. The other pharyngeal muscles receive motor fibres through the pharyngeal plexus from the vagus (cranial accessory). Cricopharyngeus also receives the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: pharyngeal muscle supply?

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.