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 is responsible for most tongue movements?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hypoglossal nerve

The hypoglossal nerve innervates intrinsic and most extrinsic tongue muscles, so a lower motor neuron lesion can cause tongue weakness and deviation toward the affected side on protrusion.

Option by option

  • A. Hypoglossal nerve (correct)

    Correct: hypoglossal nerve controls most tongue muscle movement.

  • B. Vagus nerve

    The vagus nerve supplies pharynx and larynx but not most tongue muscles.

  • C. Accessory nerve

    Accessory nerve supplies sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.

  • D. Olfactory nerve

    Olfactory nerve transmits smell sensation.

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 A, Hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve innervates intrinsic and most extrinsic tongue muscles, so a lower motor neuron lesion can cause tongue weakness and deviation toward the affected side on protrusion.

Why is "Vagus nerve" not the answer?

The vagus nerve supplies pharynx and larynx but not most tongue muscles.

Why is "Accessory nerve" not the answer?

Accessory nerve supplies sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.

Why is "Olfactory nerve" not the answer?

Olfactory nerve transmits smell sensation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cranial nerves in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: hypoglossal nerve controls most tongue muscle movement.

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.