Oral anatomy: parotid innervation: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral anatomy: parotid innervation

Sample item

Which pathway supplies the secretomotor parasympathetic fibres to the parotid gland?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Glossopharyngeal nerve via the otic ganglion

Fibres of the glossopharyngeal nerve travel via the tympanic branch and lesser petrosal nerve to the otic ganglion, then reach the gland through the auriculotemporal nerve. This differs from the submandibular pathway.

Option by option

  • A. Trigeminal nerve via the ciliary ganglion

    The ciliary ganglion supplies the eye.

  • B. Glossopharyngeal nerve via the otic ganglion (correct)

    Correct. The otic ganglion relays to the parotid.

  • C. Vagus nerve via the celiac ganglion

    The vagus does not supply the parotid.

  • D. Facial nerve via the submandibular ganglion

    This pathway supplies the submandibular and sublingual glands.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Glossopharyngeal nerve via the otic ganglion. Fibres of the glossopharyngeal nerve travel via the tympanic branch and lesser petrosal nerve to the otic ganglion, then reach the gland through the auriculotemporal nerve.

Why is "Trigeminal nerve via the ciliary ganglion" not the answer?

The ciliary ganglion supplies the eye.

Why is "Vagus nerve via the celiac ganglion" not the answer?

The vagus does not supply the parotid.

Why is "Facial nerve via the submandibular ganglion" not the answer?

This pathway supplies the submandibular and sublingual glands.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral anatomy: parotid innervation in Dentistry. This differs from the submandibular pathway.

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 Oral anatomy: parotid innervation?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.