Head and neck: buccal 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: buccal nerve

Sample item

A dentist extracts a lower third molar after a successful inferior alveolar nerve block. The buccal gingiva remains sensitive, so a further injection is needed. Which nerve supplies this area?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Buccal nerve from the mandibular nerve

The buccal nerve, a sensory branch of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve, supplies the skin of the cheek and the buccal gingiva and mucosa adjacent to the molar teeth. It lies outside the territory of the inferior alveolar block and needs separate infiltration.

Option by option

  • A. Lingual nerve

    The lingual nerve supplies the lingual gingiva and anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and is anaesthetised with the inferior alveolar block.

  • B. Buccal nerve from the mandibular nerve (correct)

    Correct. The buccal nerve supplies the buccal gingiva of the mandibular molars.

  • C. Nasopalatine nerve

    The nasopalatine nerve supplies the anterior hard palate and not the mandible.

  • D. Mental nerve

    The mental nerve supplies the lower lip, chin and labial gingiva of the premolar and anterior region.

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, Buccal nerve from the mandibular nerve. The buccal nerve, a sensory branch of the anterior division of the mandibular nerve, supplies the skin of the cheek and the buccal gingiva and mucosa adjacent to the molar teeth.

Why is "Lingual nerve" not the answer?

The lingual nerve supplies the lingual gingiva and anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and is anaesthetised with the inferior alveolar block.

Why is "Nasopalatine nerve" not the answer?

The nasopalatine nerve supplies the anterior hard palate and not the mandible.

Why is "Mental nerve" not the answer?

The mental nerve supplies the lower lip, chin and labial gingiva of the premolar and anterior region.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: buccal nerve in Anatomy. It lies outside the territory of the inferior alveolar block and needs separate infiltration.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: buccal 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.