Head and neck: 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

Sample item

Which cranial nerve carries taste from the posterior one third of tongue?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Glossopharyngeal nerve

Glossopharyngeal nerve carries general sensation and taste from the posterior third of the tongue and contributes to the gag reflex.

Option by option

  • A. Vagus nerve

    Vagus supplies pharyngeal and laryngeal regions.

  • B. Trigeminal nerve

    Trigeminal carries general anterior tongue sensation.

  • C. Glossopharyngeal nerve (correct)

    Correct: CN IX serves posterior-third taste.

  • D. Facial nerve

    Facial nerve carries anterior two-thirds taste.

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 C, Glossopharyngeal nerve. Glossopharyngeal nerve carries general sensation and taste from the posterior third of the tongue and contributes to the gag reflex.

Why is "Vagus nerve" not the answer?

Vagus supplies pharyngeal and laryngeal regions.

Why is "Trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

Trigeminal carries general anterior tongue sensation.

Why is "Facial nerve" not the answer?

Facial nerve carries anterior two-thirds taste.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: CN IX serves posterior-third taste.

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?

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.