Head and Neck Anatomy 1 Flashcards

The submandibular gland's excretory duct (Wharton's duct) opens into the oral cavity at which structure?

Answer: Sublingual caruncle at the base of the lingual frenum

Wharton's duct travels anteriorly along the floor of the mouth and opens at the sublingual caruncle (a small papilla) on either side of the lingual frenum, near the midline of the floor of the mouth.

The chorda tympani nerve, which travels with the lingual nerve, carries which type of information to the tongue?

Answer: Taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue

The chorda tympani is a branch of CN VII (facial nerve) that joins the lingual nerve (CN V3) in the infratemporal fossa. It conveys special sensory (taste) information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, while the lingual nerve itself provides general sensation to that same region.

The infraorbital foramen is located on which bone and transmits which nerve?

Answer: Maxilla; infraorbital nerve (CN V2)

The infraorbital foramen is located on the anterior surface of the maxilla, approximately 1 cm below the inferior orbital rim. It transmits the infraorbital nerve (a terminal branch of the maxillary division, CN V2) along with the infraorbital artery and vein.

Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the styloglossus muscle?

Answer: Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) innervates all intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossus (innervated by CN X). The styloglossus, which retracts and elevates the tongue, is therefore innervated by CN XII.

The submental lymph nodes serve as primary draining nodes for which structures?

Answer: Tip of the tongue and central lower lip

The submental lymph nodes, located in the submental triangle below the chin, receive primary lymphatic drainage from the tip of the tongue, midline floor of the mouth, the central portion of the lower lip, and the chin — making them clinically important in oral cancer surveillance.

The buccinator muscle is innervated by which nerve?

Answer: Buccal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) — motor

Although the buccal branch of CN V3 provides sensory innervation to the cheek mucosa and skin, the buccinator muscle itself is a muscle of facial expression and is therefore innervated motorly by the buccal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). This is a common source of confusion on dental board examinations.