Larynx: functional aphonia: 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.

Try it

ENT · Larynx: functional aphonia

Sample item

A young woman suddenly loses her voice after an emotional trauma but coughs normally. Laryngoscopy shows normal cords that fail to adduct on phonation but adduct on coughing. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Functional (psychogenic) aphonia

A normal cough shows that the nerves and muscles function, so the aphonia is psychogenic. Treatment is voice therapy with reassurance and, if needed, psychological support.

Option by option

  • A. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy

    Bilateral nerve palsy would impair the cough and cause stridor.

  • B. Vocal cord carcinoma

    Carcinoma shows a visible lesion.

  • C. Functional (psychogenic) aphonia (correct)

    Correct. A normal cough with aphonia points to a functional cause.

  • D. Reinke's oedema

    Reinke's oedema shows swollen cords.

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 C, Functional (psychogenic) aphonia. A normal cough shows that the nerves and muscles function, so the aphonia is psychogenic.

Why is "Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy" not the answer?

Bilateral nerve palsy would impair the cough and cause stridor.

Why is "Vocal cord carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma shows a visible lesion.

Why is "Reinke's oedema" not the answer?

Reinke's oedema shows swollen cords.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx: functional aphonia in ENT. Treatment is voice therapy with reassurance and, if needed, psychological support.

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 Larynx: functional aphonia?

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.