MFDS Head and Neck Anatomy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which nerve provides general somatic sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
- Lingual nerve (CN V3) (Correct answer)
- Chorda tympani (CN VII)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Correct answer: Lingual nerve (CN V3)
The lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3), carries general somatic sensation (touch, pain, temperature) from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
Question 2: The parotid duct (Stensen's duct) opens into the oral vestibule opposite which tooth?
- Upper first premolar
- Upper second molar (Correct answer)
- Upper first molar
- Upper second premolar
Correct answer: Upper second molar
The parotid duct pierces the buccinator muscle and opens at the parotid papilla on the buccal mucosa opposite the upper second molar.
Question 3: Which muscle of mastication is the most powerful elevator of the mandible?
- Medial pterygoid
- Lateral pterygoid
- Masseter (Correct answer)
- Temporalis
Correct answer: Masseter
The masseter is the most powerful elevator of the mandible; it has superficial and deep heads that together generate the greatest occlusal force among the masticatory muscles.
Question 4: The submandibular duct (Wharton's duct) opens at which structure in the oral cavity?
- Sublingual papilla lateral to the lingual frenulum
- Sublingual caruncle adjacent to the lingual frenulum (Correct answer)
- Parotid papilla on the buccal mucosa
- Retromolar pad posterior to the lower molars
Correct answer: Sublingual caruncle adjacent to the lingual frenulum
Wharton's duct opens at the sublingual caruncle (papilla), a small elevation on either side of the lingual frenulum on the floor of the mouth.
Question 5: Which foramen on the medial aspect of the mandibular ramus transmits the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels?
- Mental foramen
- Mandibular foramen (Correct answer)
- Incisive foramen
- Greater palatine foramen
Correct answer: Mandibular foramen
The inferior alveolar nerve and artery enter the mandibular canal through the mandibular foramen, located on the medial surface of the ramus, guarded anteriorly by the lingula.
Question 6: Taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is conveyed by which nerve?
- Lingual nerve (CN V3)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- Chorda tympani (CN VII) (Correct answer)
- Greater petrosal nerve (CN VII)
Correct answer: Chorda tympani (CN VII)
The chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII), carries special visceral afferent (taste) fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and travels with the lingual nerve in the infratemporal fossa.
Question 7: Which lymph nodes receive primary drainage from the tip of the tongue?
- Submandibular nodes
- Submental nodes (Correct answer)
- Jugulodigastric nodes
- Superior deep cervical nodes
Correct answer: Submental nodes
The tip of the tongue drains primarily to the submental lymph nodes (between the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles), which then drain to the deep cervical chain.
MFDS Head and Neck Anatomy 1
Which nerve provides general somatic sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?