NBDHE NBDHE Head and Neck Anatomy 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which bone forms the posterior portion of the hard palate?
- Maxilla
- Palatine bone (Correct answer)
- Vomer
- Sphenoid bone
Correct answer: Palatine bone
The horizontal plates of the palatine bones form the posterior one-third of the hard palate, while the palatine processes of the maxillae form the anterior two-thirds.
Question 2: A patient presents with inability to wrinkle the forehead and drooping of the mouth corner on the right side. Which nerve is most likely injured?
- Right trigeminal nerve (V3)
- Right facial nerve (CN VII) (Correct answer)
- Left facial nerve (CN VII)
- Right hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Correct answer: Right facial nerve (CN VII)
Lower motor neuron injury to the facial nerve (CN VII) causes ipsilateral paralysis of ALL facial muscles on that side, including the forehead, distinguishing it from upper motor neuron lesions.
Question 3: The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides taste sensation to which region of the tongue?
- Anterior two-thirds
- Posterior one-third (Correct answer)
- Lateral borders only
- Tip of the tongue
Correct answer: Posterior one-third
CN IX provides both taste and general sensation to the posterior one-third of the tongue via its lingual branches, including the circumvallate papillae.
Question 4: Which muscle is the primary retractor of the mandible?
- Masseter
- Posterior fibers of the temporalis (Correct answer)
- Medial pterygoid
- Geniohyoid
Correct answer: Posterior fibers of the temporalis
The posterior fibers of the temporalis muscle run horizontally and retract the mandible after it has been protruded.
Question 5: The submandibular ganglion is associated with which cranial nerve for its preganglionic parasympathetic input?
- CN IX
- CN VII via chorda tympani (Correct answer)
- CN V3 directly
- CN X
Correct answer: CN VII via chorda tympani
Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the facial nerve (CN VII) travel via the chorda tympani to the lingual nerve, then synapse in the submandibular ganglion to supply the submandibular and sublingual glands.
Question 6: Which of the following structures passes through the foramen ovale?
- CN V2 and middle meningeal artery
- CN V3 and lesser petrosal nerve (Correct answer)
- CN V1 and ophthalmic veins
- Facial nerve and stylomastoid artery
Correct answer: CN V3 and lesser petrosal nerve
The foramen ovale transmits the mandibular nerve (CN V3), the lesser petrosal nerve (parasympathetics to parotid), and accessory meningeal artery.
Question 7: The mylohyoid line on the mandible serves as the attachment for which muscle?
- Geniohyoid
- Mylohyoid (Correct answer)
- Digastric anterior belly
- Genioglossus
Correct answer: Mylohyoid
The mylohyoid muscle attaches along the entire length of the mylohyoid line on the medial surface of the mandible, forming the floor of the mouth.
NBDHE NBDHE Head and Neck Anatomy 5
Which bone forms the posterior portion of the hard palate?