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 lesion of the facial nerve before it gives off the chorda tympani can impair taste from which area?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Anterior two-thirds of the tongue

Chorda tympani carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic fibers to submandibular and sublingual glands. The posterior third taste is carried by glossopharyngeal nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior two-thirds of the tongue (correct)

    Correct. Chorda tympani is the facial-nerve branch for anterior tongue taste.

  • B. Epiglottis only

    Epiglottic taste is mainly vagal.

  • C. Posterior one-third of the tongue

    Posterior-third taste is glossopharyngeal nerve function.

  • D. Hard palate only

    Hard palate sensation is trigeminal.

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, Anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Chorda tympani carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic fibers to submandibular and sublingual glands.

Why is "Epiglottis only" not the answer?

Epiglottic taste is mainly vagal.

Why is "Posterior one-third of the tongue" not the answer?

Posterior-third taste is glossopharyngeal nerve function.

Why is "Hard palate only" not the answer?

Hard palate sensation is trigeminal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: facial nerve in Anatomy. The posterior third taste is carried by glossopharyngeal nerve.

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.