Oral anatomy: submandibular innervation: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Oral anatomy: submandibular innervation

Sample item

Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular gland travel in which nerve before synapsing in the submandibular ganglion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chorda tympani

The chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve, joins the lingual nerve and delivers preganglionic fibres to the submandibular ganglion. Postganglionic fibres then supply the submandibular and sublingual glands.

Option by option

  • A. Greater petrosal nerve

    The greater petrosal supplies the pterygopalatine ganglion.

  • B. Nerve to medial pterygoid

    The nerve to medial pterygoid is motor to the muscle.

  • C. Lesser petrosal nerve

    The lesser petrosal supplies the otic ganglion.

  • D. Chorda tympani (correct)

    Correct. The chorda tympani carries these fibres.

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 Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Chorda tympani. The chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve, joins the lingual nerve and delivers preganglionic fibres to the submandibular ganglion.

Why is "Greater petrosal nerve" not the answer?

The greater petrosal supplies the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Why is "Nerve to medial pterygoid" not the answer?

The nerve to medial pterygoid is motor to the muscle.

Why is "Lesser petrosal nerve" not the answer?

The lesser petrosal supplies the otic ganglion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral anatomy: submandibular innervation in Dentistry. Postganglionic fibres then supply the submandibular and sublingual glands.

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 anatomy: submandibular innervation?

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.