Head and neck: parotid gland: 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: parotid gland

Sample item

Which structure passes through the parotid gland but does not innervate it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Facial nerve

The facial nerve traverses the parotid gland and divides into terminal branches there, but parasympathetic secretomotor supply comes from glossopharyngeal pathways via the otic ganglion and auriculotemporal nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Auriculotemporal nerve

    Auriculotemporal nerve carries postganglionic secretomotor fibers.

  • B. Facial nerve (correct)

    Correct. Facial nerve passes through but does not provide parotid secretomotor innervation.

  • C. Glossopharyngeal nerve

    Glossopharyngeal nerve provides preganglionic parasympathetic input.

  • D. Otic ganglion

    Otic ganglion is the parasympathetic relay.

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 B, Facial nerve. The facial nerve traverses the parotid gland and divides into terminal branches there, but parasympathetic secretomotor supply comes from glossopharyngeal pathways via the otic ganglion and auriculotemporal nerve.

Why is "Auriculotemporal nerve" not the answer?

Auriculotemporal nerve carries postganglionic secretomotor fibers.

Why is "Glossopharyngeal nerve" not the answer?

Glossopharyngeal nerve provides preganglionic parasympathetic input.

Why is "Otic ganglion" not the answer?

Otic ganglion is the parasympathetic relay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: parotid gland in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct. Facial nerve passes through but does not provide parotid secretomotor innervation.

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: parotid gland?

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.