Head and neck: nerve to mylohyoid: 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: nerve to mylohyoid

Sample item

A lesion of a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve that arises just before the mandibular foramen leads to weakness of two muscles in the floor of the mouth region. Which pair is affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric

The nerve to mylohyoid branches from the inferior alveolar nerve before it enters the mandibular foramen and supplies mylohyoid and the anterior belly of digastric. The posterior belly of digastric and stylohyoid are supplied by the facial nerve, and geniohyoid by C1.

Option by option

  • A. Stylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric

    Stylohyoid and the posterior belly of digastric are both facial nerve territory.

  • B. Geniohyoid and anterior belly of digastric

    Geniohyoid is supplied by C1 fibres through the hypoglossal nerve.

  • C. Mylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric

    The posterior belly of digastric is supplied by the facial nerve.

  • D. Mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric (correct)

    Correct. The nerve to mylohyoid supplies mylohyoid and the anterior belly of digastric.

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, Mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric. The nerve to mylohyoid branches from the inferior alveolar nerve before it enters the mandibular foramen and supplies mylohyoid and the anterior belly of digastric.

Why is "Stylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric" not the answer?

Stylohyoid and the posterior belly of digastric are both facial nerve territory.

Why is "Geniohyoid and anterior belly of digastric" not the answer?

Geniohyoid is supplied by C1 fibres through the hypoglossal nerve.

Why is "Mylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric" not the answer?

The posterior belly of digastric is supplied by the facial nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: nerve to mylohyoid in Anatomy. The posterior belly of digastric and stylohyoid are supplied by the facial nerve, and geniohyoid by C1.

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: nerve to mylohyoid?

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.