Question

If a person experiences difficulty in movements of pharynx, neck, and shoulders, ........ cranial nerve may be injured.

• A. abducens
• B. hypoglossal
• C. spinal accessory
• D. vagus

Hint:

Damage to the spinal accessory nerve can lead to difficulty in shoulder shrugging and turning the head.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the role of cranial nerves.
The spinal accessory nerve controls the movement of the neck, pharynx, and shoulders. Injury to this nerve can cause difficulty in these areas.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) abducens: Incorrect, the abducens nerve controls eye movement, not neck or shoulder movements.
(B) hypoglossal: Incorrect, the hypoglossal nerve controls tongue movement, not pharynx, neck, or shoulders.
(C) spinal accessory: Correct, the spinal accessory nerve controls the muscles of the neck and shoulders, and damage can cause difficulties in these movements.
(D) vagus: Incorrect, the vagus nerve controls various functions including heart rate and digestion, not the movements of pharynx, neck, or shoulders.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) spinal accessory, as it is the nerve responsible for controlling the muscles in the neck and shoulders.