Cranial nerves: practice question

A Anatomy 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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Anatomy · Cranial nerves

Sample item

Which cranial nerve carries motor fibers to muscles of facial expression?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Facial nerve

The facial nerve supplies the muscles of facial expression, so a peripheral facial palsy can impair forehead wrinkling, eye closure, and movement of the mouth on the affected side.

Option by option

  • A. Glossopharyngeal nerve

    Glossopharyngeal nerve contributes to pharyngeal sensation and stylopharyngeus.

  • B. Trigeminal nerve

    The trigeminal nerve supplies facial sensation and muscles of mastication.

  • C. Hypoglossal nerve

    Hypoglossal nerve supplies most tongue muscles.

  • D. Facial nerve (correct)

    Correct: cranial nerve VII supplies facial expression muscles.

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.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Facial nerve. The facial nerve supplies the muscles of facial expression, so a peripheral facial palsy can impair forehead wrinkling, eye closure, and movement of the mouth on the affected side.

Why is "Glossopharyngeal nerve" not the answer?

Glossopharyngeal nerve contributes to pharyngeal sensation and stylopharyngeus.

Why is "Trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

The trigeminal nerve supplies facial sensation and muscles of mastication.

Why is "Hypoglossal nerve" not the answer?

Hypoglossal nerve supplies most tongue muscles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cranial nerves in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: cranial nerve VII supplies facial expression muscles.

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 Cranial nerves?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy 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.