Head and neck: facial nerve: 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 · Head and neck: facial nerve

Sample item

A parotidectomy patient cannot close the right eye tightly but has preserved facial sensation. Which cranial nerve branch is affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Temporal branch of facial nerve

The temporal branch of CN VII supplies the upper facial muscles, including orbicularis oculi. Trigeminal nerve carries facial sensation, which remains intact in a motor facial palsy.

Option by option

  • A. Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve

    V3 supplies mastication and lower-face sensation.

  • B. Hypoglossal nerve

    Hypoglossal nerve supplies tongue muscles.

  • C. Ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve

    V1 supplies forehead and corneal sensation rather than orbicularis oculi motor function.

  • D. Temporal branch of facial nerve (correct)

    Correct. Facial motor loss affecting eye closure localises to CN VII's temporal branch.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Temporal branch of facial nerve. The temporal branch of CN VII supplies the upper facial muscles, including orbicularis oculi.

Why is "Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

V3 supplies mastication and lower-face sensation.

Why is "Hypoglossal nerve" not the answer?

Hypoglossal nerve supplies tongue muscles.

Why is "Ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

V1 supplies forehead and corneal sensation rather than orbicularis oculi motor function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: facial nerve in Anatomy. Trigeminal nerve carries facial sensation, which remains intact in a motor facial palsy.

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 Head and neck: facial nerve?

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.