Oral histology and anatomy: inferior alveolar nerve block: 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 histology and anatomy: inferior alveolar nerve block

Sample item

After an inferior alveolar nerve block, a patient reports numbness of the lower lip and also of the ipsilateral anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Which explanation is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. The lingual nerve lies close to the inferior alveolar nerve and is commonly anaesthetised too

The lingual nerve runs anteromedial to the inferior alveolar nerve in the pterygomandibular space. It usually receives some of the anaesthetic, producing tongue numbness, while the lip numbness comes from the mental branch.

Option by option

  • A. The long buccal nerve supplies the tongue

    The long buccal nerve supplies cheek mucosa and buccal gingiva.

  • B. The hypoglossal nerve supplies tongue sensation

    The hypoglossal nerve is purely motor to the tongue.

  • C. The facial nerve was blocked as it crosses the ramus

    The facial nerve is not near the injection site and does not supply tongue sensation.

  • D. The lingual nerve lies close to the inferior alveolar nerve and is commonly anaesthetised too (correct)

    Correct. The adjacent lingual nerve is often anaesthetised in the same block.

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 D, The lingual nerve lies close to the inferior alveolar nerve and is commonly anaesthetised too. The lingual nerve runs anteromedial to the inferior alveolar nerve in the pterygomandibular space.

Why is "The long buccal nerve supplies the tongue" not the answer?

The long buccal nerve supplies cheek mucosa and buccal gingiva.

Why is "The hypoglossal nerve supplies tongue sensation" not the answer?

The hypoglossal nerve is purely motor to the tongue.

Why is "The facial nerve was blocked as it crosses the ramus" not the answer?

The facial nerve is not near the injection site and does not supply tongue sensation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: inferior alveolar nerve block in Dentistry. It usually receives some of the anaesthetic, producing tongue numbness, while the lip numbness comes from the mental branch.

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 histology and anatomy: inferior alveolar nerve block?

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.