USMLE Anatomy #3
With exception of the cricothyroid muscle, the rest of the laryngeal muscles are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is a branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). Thyroidectomy and mitral stenosis (rheumatic fever in an immigrant patient) can cause voice hoarseness due to injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the consequent vocal cord paralysis.
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USMLE Practice Questions:
Question: How does mitral stenosis damage the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Answer: Due to pressure buildup in the heart, mitral stenosis causes enlargement of the left atrium, which can compress the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Likewise, compression of the esophagus may cause dysphagia in these patients.
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Question: Which nerve innervates the cricothyroid muscle?
Answer: The superior laryngeal nerve, which is also a branch of the vagus nerve.
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Question: How do the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves provide sensory innervation to the laryngeal mucosa?
Answer: The recurrent laryngeal nerve provides sensory innervation below the vocal folds while the superior laryngeal nerve innervates the laryngeal mucosa above the vocal folds.
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