Head and neck: innervation of the lacrimal 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: innervation of the lacrimal gland

Sample item

Parasympathetic secretomotor fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion reach the lacrimal gland by joining which nerve, before entering the lacrimal nerve?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Zygomaticotemporal nerve

Postganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion travel with the maxillary nerve and its zygomatic branch, then through the zygomaticotemporal nerve, which connects to the lacrimal nerve of V1 to reach the gland. Preganglionic fibres arrive from the greater petrosal nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Zygomaticotemporal nerve (correct)

    Correct. This branch of V2 carries the fibres across to the lacrimal nerve.

  • B. Infraorbital nerve

    This nerve is the continuation of V2 to the cheek and does not supply the gland.

  • C. Supraorbital nerve

    This branch of V1 supplies the forehead and scalp, not the lacrimal gland.

  • D. Nasociliary nerve

    This branch of V1 supplies the nose and cornea, not the lacrimal gland.

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 A, Zygomaticotemporal nerve. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion travel with the maxillary nerve and its zygomatic branch, then through the zygomaticotemporal nerve, which connects to the lacrimal nerve of V1 to reach the gland.

Why is "Infraorbital nerve" not the answer?

This nerve is the continuation of V2 to the cheek and does not supply the gland.

Why is "Supraorbital nerve" not the answer?

This branch of V1 supplies the forehead and scalp, not the lacrimal gland.

Why is "Nasociliary nerve" not the answer?

This branch of V1 supplies the nose and cornea, not the lacrimal gland.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: innervation of the lacrimal gland in Anatomy. Preganglionic fibres arrive from the greater petrosal nerve.

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: innervation of the lacrimal 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.