Pharynx and tonsils: dysphagia from medullary lesion: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: dysphagia from medullary lesion

Sample item

A man with sudden vertigo, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right face and left body is found to have a medullary infarct. Which structure explains the swallowing difficulty?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Nucleus ambiguus

In lateral medullary syndrome the nucleus ambiguus is involved, which supplies the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles through the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, causing dysphagia and hoarseness. Crossed sensory loss and Horner syndrome complete the picture.

Option by option

  • A. Hypoglossal nucleus

    The hypoglossal nucleus supplies the tongue and lies in the medial medulla.

  • B. Trigeminal motor nucleus

    The trigeminal motor nucleus lies in the pons and supplies the muscles of mastication.

  • C. Facial nucleus

    The facial nucleus lies in the pons and supplies facial expression muscles.

  • D. Nucleus ambiguus (correct)

    Correct. The nucleus ambiguus supplies the muscles of the pharynx and larynx.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Nucleus ambiguus. In lateral medullary syndrome the nucleus ambiguus is involved, which supplies the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles through the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, causing dysphagia and hoarseness.

Why is "Hypoglossal nucleus" not the answer?

The hypoglossal nucleus supplies the tongue and lies in the medial medulla.

Why is "Trigeminal motor nucleus" not the answer?

The trigeminal motor nucleus lies in the pons and supplies the muscles of mastication.

Why is "Facial nucleus" not the answer?

The facial nucleus lies in the pons and supplies facial expression muscles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: dysphagia from medullary lesion in ENT. Crossed sensory loss and Horner syndrome complete the picture.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: dysphagia from medullary lesion?

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.