Thyroid surgery: non-recurrent nerve: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Thyroid surgery: non-recurrent nerve

Sample item

A non-recurrent right inferior laryngeal nerve is most commonly associated with which vascular anomaly?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria)

When the right subclavian artery arises from the descending aorta and passes behind the oesophagus, the right fourth arch artery is absent and the nerve passes directly from the vagus to the larynx. It is vulnerable during thyroidectomy.

Option by option

  • A. Right-sided aortic arch

    A right-sided arch is not the typical cause.

  • B. Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) (correct)

    Correct. Arteria lusoria is the usual association.

  • C. Double aortic arch

    A double arch causes tracheal compression.

  • D. Persistent truncus arteriosus

    Truncus arteriosus is unrelated.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria). When the right subclavian artery arises from the descending aorta and passes behind the oesophagus, the right fourth arch artery is absent and the nerve passes directly from the vagus to the larynx.

Why is "Right-sided aortic arch" not the answer?

A right-sided arch is not the typical cause.

Why is "Double aortic arch" not the answer?

A double arch causes tracheal compression.

Why is "Persistent truncus arteriosus" not the answer?

Truncus arteriosus is unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thyroid surgery: non-recurrent nerve in ENT. It is vulnerable during thyroidectomy.

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 Thyroid surgery: non-recurrent nerve?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.