Alabama Dental Hygiene Jurisprudence & Clinical
Board Review: Practice Questions,Answer, Rationale
1. Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
- A) Facial nerve (CN VII)
- B) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- C) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
- D) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Answer: B) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
, Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is the primary motor nerve for mastication, innervating the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral
pterygoid muscles. The facial nerve (CN VII) innervates muscles of facial expression. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) supplies the intrinsic and extrinsic
muscles of the tongue . The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides motor innervation to the stylopharyngeus muscle.
2. Which of the following nerves supplies the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?
- A) Vagus (CN X)
- B) Facial (CN VII)
- C) Lingual (CN V3)
- D) Hypoglossal (CN XII)
Answer: D) Hypoglossal (CN XII)
Rationale: The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) provides motor innervation to all intrinsic muscles of the tongue as well as three of the four extrinsic
muscles (genioglossus, styloglossus, hyoglossus). The lingual nerve (branch of CN V3) provides general sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue,
and the facial nerve (CN VII) provides special taste sensation to the anterior two-thirds .
3. The parotid gland's duct (Stensen's duct) opens into the oral cavity at which anatomical landmark?
- A) Lingual frenum
,- B) Buccal mucosa opposite the maxillary second molar
- C) Floor of the mouth near the sublingual caruncle
- D) Palatine rugae
Answer: B) Buccal mucosa opposite the maxillary second molar
Rationale: Stensen's duct, the parotid gland duct, exits the parotid gland and traverses the buccinator muscle, opening into the oral vestibule
opposite the maxillary second molar. This is an important clinical landmark for salivary flow assessment and radiographic identification. Wharton's duct
(submandibular) opens at the sublingual caruncle in the floor of the mouth.
4. Which of the following structures is located within the carotid triangle of the neck?
- A) Internal jugular vein
- B) Submandibular gland
- C) Thyroid gland
- D) Parotid gland
Answer: A) Internal jugular vein
, Rationale: The carotid triangle contains the common carotid artery (which bifurcates into internal and external carotid arteries), the internal jugular
vein, and the hypoglossal and vagus nerves. The submandibular gland is located in the submandibular triangle, and the thyroid gland is in the visceral
compartment of the neck. The parotid gland is in the parotid region .
5. The maxillary sinus is most closely associated with the roots of which teeth?
- A) Maxillary central incisors
- B) Maxillary premolars
- C) Maxillary molars
- D) Maxillary canines
Answer: C) Maxillary molars
Rationale: The maxillary sinus (antrum of Highmore) is located superior to the roots of the maxillary molars and premolars. The apices of the
maxillary first and second molars are in closest proximity to the sinus floor, making these teeth particularly susceptible to sinus communication during
extractions or endodontic procedures .
Physiology
Board Review: Practice Questions,Answer, Rationale
1. Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
- A) Facial nerve (CN VII)
- B) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- C) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
- D) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Answer: B) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
, Rationale: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is the primary motor nerve for mastication, innervating the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral
pterygoid muscles. The facial nerve (CN VII) innervates muscles of facial expression. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) supplies the intrinsic and extrinsic
muscles of the tongue . The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides motor innervation to the stylopharyngeus muscle.
2. Which of the following nerves supplies the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?
- A) Vagus (CN X)
- B) Facial (CN VII)
- C) Lingual (CN V3)
- D) Hypoglossal (CN XII)
Answer: D) Hypoglossal (CN XII)
Rationale: The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) provides motor innervation to all intrinsic muscles of the tongue as well as three of the four extrinsic
muscles (genioglossus, styloglossus, hyoglossus). The lingual nerve (branch of CN V3) provides general sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue,
and the facial nerve (CN VII) provides special taste sensation to the anterior two-thirds .
3. The parotid gland's duct (Stensen's duct) opens into the oral cavity at which anatomical landmark?
- A) Lingual frenum
,- B) Buccal mucosa opposite the maxillary second molar
- C) Floor of the mouth near the sublingual caruncle
- D) Palatine rugae
Answer: B) Buccal mucosa opposite the maxillary second molar
Rationale: Stensen's duct, the parotid gland duct, exits the parotid gland and traverses the buccinator muscle, opening into the oral vestibule
opposite the maxillary second molar. This is an important clinical landmark for salivary flow assessment and radiographic identification. Wharton's duct
(submandibular) opens at the sublingual caruncle in the floor of the mouth.
4. Which of the following structures is located within the carotid triangle of the neck?
- A) Internal jugular vein
- B) Submandibular gland
- C) Thyroid gland
- D) Parotid gland
Answer: A) Internal jugular vein
, Rationale: The carotid triangle contains the common carotid artery (which bifurcates into internal and external carotid arteries), the internal jugular
vein, and the hypoglossal and vagus nerves. The submandibular gland is located in the submandibular triangle, and the thyroid gland is in the visceral
compartment of the neck. The parotid gland is in the parotid region .
5. The maxillary sinus is most closely associated with the roots of which teeth?
- A) Maxillary central incisors
- B) Maxillary premolars
- C) Maxillary molars
- D) Maxillary canines
Answer: C) Maxillary molars
Rationale: The maxillary sinus (antrum of Highmore) is located superior to the roots of the maxillary molars and premolars. The apices of the
maxillary first and second molars are in closest proximity to the sinus floor, making these teeth particularly susceptible to sinus communication during
extractions or endodontic procedures .
Physiology
