Larynx: 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 · Larynx

Sample item

Which nerve injury causes inability to abduct a vocal cord after thyroid surgery?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies most intrinsic laryngeal muscles, including posterior cricoarytenoid which abducts the vocal cord.

Option by option

  • A. Phrenic nerve injury

    Phrenic nerve controls diaphragm movement.

  • B. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (correct)

    Correct: recurrent laryngeal injury impairs vocal-cord movement.

  • C. Greater auricular nerve injury

    Greater auricular nerve is sensory over external ear and neck.

  • D. Glossopharyngeal nerve injury

    Glossopharyngeal nerve serves pharyngeal sensation and stylopharyngeus.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies most intrinsic laryngeal muscles, including posterior cricoarytenoid which abducts the vocal cord.

Why is "Phrenic nerve injury" not the answer?

Phrenic nerve controls diaphragm movement.

Why is "Greater auricular nerve injury" not the answer?

Greater auricular nerve is sensory over external ear and neck.

Why is "Glossopharyngeal nerve injury" not the answer?

Glossopharyngeal nerve serves pharyngeal sensation and stylopharyngeus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: recurrent laryngeal injury impairs vocal-cord 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 Larynx?

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.