Salivary glands: Frey's syndrome: 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 · Salivary glands: Frey's syndrome

Sample item

A man sweats and flushes over the cheek while eating, months after a superficial parotidectomy. Which nerve is involved in the aberrant regeneration?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Auriculotemporal nerve

In Frey's syndrome, parasympathetic secretomotor fibres of the auriculotemporal nerve regrow into sweat glands and skin vessels, so the skin sweats on salivary stimulation. It is confirmed by Minor's starch-iodine test and treated with botulinum toxin.

Option by option

  • A. Marginal mandibular nerve

    The marginal mandibular nerve is motor to the lower lip.

  • B. Greater auricular nerve

    The greater auricular nerve is sensory and is often sacrificed in parotid surgery.

  • C. Lingual nerve

    The lingual nerve carries tongue sensation.

  • D. Auriculotemporal nerve (correct)

    Correct. Cross-innervation by the auriculotemporal nerve causes gustatory sweating.

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, Auriculotemporal nerve. In Frey's syndrome, parasympathetic secretomotor fibres of the auriculotemporal nerve regrow into sweat glands and skin vessels, so the skin sweats on salivary stimulation.

Why is "Marginal mandibular nerve" not the answer?

The marginal mandibular nerve is motor to the lower lip.

Why is "Greater auricular nerve" not the answer?

The greater auricular nerve is sensory and is often sacrificed in parotid surgery.

Why is "Lingual nerve" not the answer?

The lingual nerve carries tongue sensation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: Frey's syndrome in ENT. It is confirmed by Minor's starch-iodine test and treated with botulinum toxin.

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 Salivary glands: Frey's syndrome?

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.