Example Written Questions
Carotid Sheath, Pharynx and Larynx
  1. Twenty-four hours following a partial thyroidectomy where the inferior thyroid artery was also ligated (tied off), the patient now spoke wih a hoarse voice (whisper), and had difficulty in breathing. Which nerve was injured?
    Internal branch of superior laryngeal
    Ansa cervicalis
    Ansa subclavia
    Recurrent laryngeal
    External branch of superior laryngeal
  2. Which of the following nerves is derived from the dorsal primary rami of spinal nerves?
    great auricular
    greater occipital
    lesser occipital
    phrenic
    supraclavicular
  3. Which of the following hyoid muscles is an important landmark in both the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck?
    geniohyoid
    mylohyoid
    omohyoid
    sternohyoid
    stylohyoid
  4. During surgical procedures of the neck, structures within the carotid sheath can be retracted (pulled aside) as a unit. Which of the following structures would remain in place when the carotid sheath is retracted?
    common carotid artery
    cervical sympathetic trunk
    internal jugular vein
    internal carotid artery
    vagus nerve
  5. In performing a thyroidectomy, caution should be exercised when ligating (tying) the inferior thyroid artery, as it lies in a very close relationship to which nerve?
    ansa cervicalis
    hypoglossal
    phrenic
    recurrent laryngeal
    vagus
  6. A 60-year-old man has occasional blackouts and light-headedness. Studies reveal atherosclerotic plaques within the common carotid arteries and the bifurcation of the vessels. A carotid endartectomy is undertaken. Which nerve bundle running vertically within the carotid sheath must the surgeon be careful not to injure?
    Accessory
    Cervical sympathetic trunk
    Glossopharyngeal
    Hypoglossal
    Vagus
  7. A 55-year-old woman has difficulty swallowing and frequently aspirates fluids while drinking. She is diagnosed as having a skull base tumor occupying the space behind the jugular foramen. Involvement of which structure is responsible for the findings?
    Ansa cervicalis
    Cervical sympathetic trunk
    Accessory nerve
    Hypoglossal nerve
    Vagus
  8. While doing a postoperative physical on a patient who has undergone carotid endarterectomy on the right side, it was noted that the tongue deviated toward the right when the patient was asked to point the tongue outward. What nerve crossing the carotid artery must have been injured?
    Glossopharyngeal
    Hypoglossal
    Inferior alveolar
    Lingual
    Vagus
  9. Following thyroid surgery, it was noted that a patient frequently aspirated fluid into her lungs. Upon examination it was determined that the area of the piriform recess above the vocal fold of the larynx was numb. What nerve may have been injured?
    External branch of the superior pharyngeal
    Hypoglossal
    Internal branch of the superior laryngeal
    Lingual
    Recurrent laryngeal
  10. The laryngeal muscle most responsible for stretching (elongating) the vocal ligament is the :
    Posterior cricoarytenoid
    Lateral cricoarytenoid
    Thyroarytenoid
    Arytenoid
    Cricothyroid
  11. Any manipulation of the superior thyroid artery must be undertaken with care not to damage its small companion nerve, the:
    Cervical sympathetic trunk
    External branch of the superior laryngeal
    Inferior root of the ansa cervicalis
    Internal branch of the superior laryngeal
    Recurrent laryngeal
  12. The muscle most responsible for the abduction of the vocal folds is the :
    Arytenoid
    Cricothyroid
    Lateral cricoarytenoid
    Posterior cricoarytenoid
    Thyroarytenoid
  13. The major motor nerve to the entire larynx is the:
    Glossopharyngeal nerve, pharyngeal branch
    Inferior laryngeal nerve
    Superior laryngeal nerve, external branch
    Superior laryngeal nerve, inernal branch
    Thyrohyoid nerve
  14. The carotid body is innervated by a branch of the:
    Glossopharyngeal nerve
    Hypoglossal nerve
    Spinal accessory nerve
    Sympathetic trunk
    Vagus nerve
  15. The constrictor muscles of the pharynx receive their motor nerve supply from the:
    Glossopharyngeal nerve
    Hypoglossal nerve
    Spinal accessory nerve
    Sympathetic trunk
    Vagus nerve
  16. The vocalis muscle is probably the one most responsible for the fine control of phonation because of its attachment into the:
    Arytenoid cartilage
    Cricoid cartilage
    Thyroid cartilage
    Vestibular ligament
    Vocal ligament