Free Head and Neck MCQs with Answers

• A. Digastric triangle
• B. Carotid triangle
• C. Muscular triangle
• D. Deep to hyoglossus muscle

Explanation: The submandibular gland occupies the submandibular, or digastric, triangle beneath the body of the mandible.

• A. Deviation of tongue to right
• B. Deviation of tongue to left
• C. Deviation of soft palate to right
• D. deviation of soft palate to left

Explanation: The genioglossus protrudes the tongue, and unilateral paralysis causes the intact muscle to push the tongue toward the paralysed side.

• A. Lingual nerve
• B. Hypoglossal nerve
• C. Submandibular Ganglion
• D. Glossopharyngeal nerve

Explanation: The lingual nerve, hypoglossal nerve and submandibular ganglion pass superficial to hyoglossus, whereas the glossopharyngeal nerve is…

• A. Verticalis
• B. Superior longitudinal
• C. Inferior longitudinal
• D. Transverse

Explanation: The verticalis muscle runs vertically within the tongue from its dorsal surface toward the ventral surface, shortening and flattening the…

• A. Genioglossi and hyoglossi
• B. Genioglossi and palatoglossal
• C. Hyoglossi and styloglossi
• D. Styloglossi and palatoglossal

Explanation: Genioglossus and hyoglossus help depress the tongue, while styloglossus and palatoglossus mainly elevate or retract it.

• A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
• B. Lingual nerve
• C. Chorda tympani
• D. Hypoglossal

Explanation: The hypoglossal nerve supplies the intrinsic tongue muscles and all extrinsic muscles except palatoglossus, which is supplied by the vagus…

• A. Hypoglossal nerve
• B. Lingual artery
• C. Stylohyoid muscle
• D. Geniohyoid muscle

Explanation: The hypoglossal nerve crosses the superficial surface of hyoglossus, whereas the lingual artery and several deeper muscular structures lie…

• A. Left hypoglossal
• B. Glossopharyngeal
• C. Right hypoglossal
• D. Facial nerve

Explanation: A hypoglossal lesion weakens the right genioglossus, so the functioning left genioglossus pushes the protruded tongue toward the right.

• A. Palatoglossus
• B. Genioglossus
• C. Hyoglossus
• D. Styloglossus

Explanation: Palatoglossus is the only tongue muscle not supplied by the hypoglossal nerve; it receives motor fibers through the vagus nerve via the…

• A. Facial nerve
• B. Trigeminal nerve
• C. Mandibular nerve
• D. Glossopharyngeal nerve

Explanation: The posterior one-third of the tongue receives general sensory and taste fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve.

• A. Glossopharyngeal nerve
• B. Stylohyoid ligament
• C. Lingual artery
• D. Hypoglossal nerve

Explanation: The hypoglossal nerve crosses the superficial or lateral surface of hyoglossus, not its medial surface.

• A. Separated from the epiglottis by gloss epiglottic folds
• B. Contains foramen caecum which is present on the dorsum of frenulum
• C. Contains 6 - 10 circumvallate papilla located posterior to sulcus terminals
• D. Embryologically derives from 1st branchial arch only

Explanation: The tongue is separated from the epiglottis by the median and two lateral glossoepiglottic folds, forming the valleculae between them.

• A. Hyoglossus
• B. Genioglossus
• C. Palatoglossus
• D. Styloglossus

Explanation: Genioglossus is called the safety muscle because its activity prevents the tongue from falling backward and obstructing the airway.

• A. Ascending palatine artery
• B. Ascending pharyngeal artery
• C. Lingual artery
• D. Facial artery

Explanation: The lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, is the principal arterial supply of the tongue.

• A. XII cranial nerve
• B. IX cranial nerve
• C. X cranial nerve
• D. VII cranial nerve

Explanation: General sensation from the posterior one-third of the tongue is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve, cranial nerve IX.

• A. VII
• B. V
• C. X
• D. IX

Explanation: The glossopharyngeal nerve, cranial nerve IX, carries both general sensation and taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue.

• A. Protrusion of tongue
• B. Posteriorly retracts the tongue
• C. Depression of tongue
• D. Elevation of tongue

Explanation: Styloglossus pulls the tongue backward and upward, so its principal actions are retraction and elevation.

• A. Submental nodes
• B. Supra clavicular node
• C. Sub mandibular nodes
• D. Superior deep cervical nodes

Explanation: Lymph from the tip of the tongue initially drains to the submental lymph nodes.

• A. Genioglossus
• B. Intrinsic muscles of tongue
• C. Styloglossus
• D. Palatoglossus

Explanation: Genioglossus projects the tongue forward because its muscle fibres arise from the mandible and insert into the tongue.