Larynx and airway: laryngeal reinnervation: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Larynx and airway: laryngeal reinnervation

Sample item

A 30-year-old with an irreversible unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury wants a dynamic restoration of the vocal fold bulk and tone. Which nerve is commonly anastomosed to the distal recurrent laryngeal nerve?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ansa cervicalis

Reinnervation uses a branch of the ansa cervicalis anastomosed to the distal recurrent laryngeal nerve to restore muscle tone and prevent atrophy. It does not restore abduction or adduction movement, but improves the voice quality over months. It is an option when recovery is not expected.

Option by option

  • A. Greater auricular nerve

    The greater auricular nerve is sensory.

  • B. Ansa cervicalis (correct)

    Correct. The ansa cervicalis is the usual donor.

  • C. Lingual nerve

    The lingual nerve is sensory to the tongue.

  • D. Phrenic nerve

    The phrenic nerve is needed for the diaphragm.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Ansa cervicalis. Reinnervation uses a branch of the ansa cervicalis anastomosed to the distal recurrent laryngeal nerve to restore muscle tone and prevent atrophy.

Why is "Greater auricular nerve" not the answer?

The greater auricular nerve is sensory.

Why is "Lingual nerve" not the answer?

The lingual nerve is sensory to the tongue.

Why is "Phrenic nerve" not the answer?

The phrenic nerve is needed for the diaphragm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: laryngeal reinnervation in ENT. It does not restore abduction or adduction movement, but improves the voice quality over months. It is an option when recovery is not expected.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Larynx and airway: laryngeal reinnervation?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.