SLP PRAXIS EXAM 2026 TEST BANK REAL QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE|
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Q1–Q30)
Q1: Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for tasting sensation from
the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
A) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B) Facial nerve (CN VII)
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Answer: B
Rationale: CN VII (facial) carries taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue via the
chorda tympani. CN IX carries taste from the posterior 1/3; CN V is general
sensation; CN XII is tongue movement.
Q2: A 4-year-old child presents with a frontal lisp (produces /θ/ for /s/). This is
considered:
A) A distortion typical for this age
B) A phonological process requiring immediate intervention
C) An articulation disorder warranting evaluation
D) A normal developmental pattern until age 6-7
Answer: A
Rationale: Frontal lisps (/θ/ for /s/) are common developmental errors and
typically resolve by age 6-7 without intervention. This is considered a distortion,
not a phonological process.
Q3: Which muscle is the primary abductor of the vocal folds?
A) Lateral cricoarytenoid
B) Posterior cricoarytenoid
C) Interarytenoid
D) Thyroarytenoid
1
,Answer: B
Rationale: The posterior cricoarytenoid is the only vocal fold abductor. The lateral
cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid are adductors; thyroarytenoid shortens and
thickens the folds.
Q4: The primary biological function of the larynx is:
A) Phonation
B) Protection of the airway
C) Resonance
D) Articulation
Answer: B
Rationale: The larynx's primary biological role is airway protection (sphincteric
function). Phonation is a secondary, non-biological function.
Q5: Which cranial nerve innervates the tensor veli palatini muscle?
A) CN V (trigeminal)
B) CN VII (facial)
C) CN IX (glossopharyngeal)
D) CN X (vagus)
Answer: A
Rationale: The tensor veli palatini is innervated by the mandibular branch of CN V
(trigeminal). All other palatal muscles are innervated by CN X (vagus) via the
pharyngeal plexus.
Q6: The hyoid bone is unique because it:
A) Is the only bone that articulates with the skull
B) Does not articulate with any other bone
C) Is completely cartilaginous at birth
D) Contains the vocal folds
Answer: B
Rationale: The hyoid is a U-shaped bone that does not articulate with any other
bone; it is suspended by muscles and ligaments.
2
,Q7: The primary muscle for tongue protrusion is the:
A) Genioglossus
B) Styloglossus
C) Hyoglossus
D) Palatoglossus
Answer: A
Rationale: Genioglossus protrudes the tongue. Styloglossus retracts and elevates;
hyoglossus depresses; palatoglossus elevates the back of the tongue.
Q8: The vocal folds are adducted by which of the following muscles?
A) Posterior cricoarytenoid
B) Cricothyroid
C) Lateral cricoarytenoid
D) Vocalis
Answer: C
Rationale: The lateral cricoarytenoid rotates the arytenoids medially, adducting
the vocal folds. Posterior cricoarytenoid abducts; cricothyroid lengthens; vocalis
adjusts tension.
Q9: The floor of the oral cavity is formed primarily by the:
A) Mylohyoid muscle
B) Digastric muscle
C) Geniohyoid muscle
D) Stylohyoid muscle
Answer: A
Rationale: The mylohyoid forms the muscular floor of the mouth. The anterior
belly of digastric, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid are accessory muscles.
Q10: The cricoid cartilage is best described as:
A) The only complete ring of cartilage in the larynx
B) A paired cartilaginous structure
C) The largest laryngeal cartilage
D) The most superior laryngeal cartilage
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is the only complete ring (signet-ring shape) that
forms the base of the larynx. Thyroid is largest; epiglottis is most superior.
Q11: Which nerve provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the
larynx except the cricothyroid?
A) Vagus (CN X)
B) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
C) Superior laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Answer: B
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of CN X) innervates all intrinsic
laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid, which is innervated by the external
branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
Q12: The epiglottis is attached to the thyroid cartilage via the:
A) Hyoepiglottic ligament
B) Thyroepiglottic ligament
C) Cricoepiglottic ligament
D) Vocal ligament
Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroepiglottic ligament attaches the epiglottis to the thyroid
cartilage. The hyoepiglottic ligament attaches it to the hyoid.
Q13: The primary respiratory muscle for inhalation is the:
A) Diaphragm
B) External intercostals
C) Internal intercostals
D) Abdominals
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration. External
intercostals assist; internal intercostals and abdominals are expiratory.
4
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE|
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Q1–Q30)
Q1: Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for tasting sensation from
the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
A) Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B) Facial nerve (CN VII)
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Answer: B
Rationale: CN VII (facial) carries taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue via the
chorda tympani. CN IX carries taste from the posterior 1/3; CN V is general
sensation; CN XII is tongue movement.
Q2: A 4-year-old child presents with a frontal lisp (produces /θ/ for /s/). This is
considered:
A) A distortion typical for this age
B) A phonological process requiring immediate intervention
C) An articulation disorder warranting evaluation
D) A normal developmental pattern until age 6-7
Answer: A
Rationale: Frontal lisps (/θ/ for /s/) are common developmental errors and
typically resolve by age 6-7 without intervention. This is considered a distortion,
not a phonological process.
Q3: Which muscle is the primary abductor of the vocal folds?
A) Lateral cricoarytenoid
B) Posterior cricoarytenoid
C) Interarytenoid
D) Thyroarytenoid
1
,Answer: B
Rationale: The posterior cricoarytenoid is the only vocal fold abductor. The lateral
cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid are adductors; thyroarytenoid shortens and
thickens the folds.
Q4: The primary biological function of the larynx is:
A) Phonation
B) Protection of the airway
C) Resonance
D) Articulation
Answer: B
Rationale: The larynx's primary biological role is airway protection (sphincteric
function). Phonation is a secondary, non-biological function.
Q5: Which cranial nerve innervates the tensor veli palatini muscle?
A) CN V (trigeminal)
B) CN VII (facial)
C) CN IX (glossopharyngeal)
D) CN X (vagus)
Answer: A
Rationale: The tensor veli palatini is innervated by the mandibular branch of CN V
(trigeminal). All other palatal muscles are innervated by CN X (vagus) via the
pharyngeal plexus.
Q6: The hyoid bone is unique because it:
A) Is the only bone that articulates with the skull
B) Does not articulate with any other bone
C) Is completely cartilaginous at birth
D) Contains the vocal folds
Answer: B
Rationale: The hyoid is a U-shaped bone that does not articulate with any other
bone; it is suspended by muscles and ligaments.
2
,Q7: The primary muscle for tongue protrusion is the:
A) Genioglossus
B) Styloglossus
C) Hyoglossus
D) Palatoglossus
Answer: A
Rationale: Genioglossus protrudes the tongue. Styloglossus retracts and elevates;
hyoglossus depresses; palatoglossus elevates the back of the tongue.
Q8: The vocal folds are adducted by which of the following muscles?
A) Posterior cricoarytenoid
B) Cricothyroid
C) Lateral cricoarytenoid
D) Vocalis
Answer: C
Rationale: The lateral cricoarytenoid rotates the arytenoids medially, adducting
the vocal folds. Posterior cricoarytenoid abducts; cricothyroid lengthens; vocalis
adjusts tension.
Q9: The floor of the oral cavity is formed primarily by the:
A) Mylohyoid muscle
B) Digastric muscle
C) Geniohyoid muscle
D) Stylohyoid muscle
Answer: A
Rationale: The mylohyoid forms the muscular floor of the mouth. The anterior
belly of digastric, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid are accessory muscles.
Q10: The cricoid cartilage is best described as:
A) The only complete ring of cartilage in the larynx
B) A paired cartilaginous structure
C) The largest laryngeal cartilage
D) The most superior laryngeal cartilage
3
, Answer: A
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is the only complete ring (signet-ring shape) that
forms the base of the larynx. Thyroid is largest; epiglottis is most superior.
Q11: Which nerve provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the
larynx except the cricothyroid?
A) Vagus (CN X)
B) Recurrent laryngeal nerve
C) Superior laryngeal nerve
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Answer: B
Rationale: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of CN X) innervates all intrinsic
laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid, which is innervated by the external
branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
Q12: The epiglottis is attached to the thyroid cartilage via the:
A) Hyoepiglottic ligament
B) Thyroepiglottic ligament
C) Cricoepiglottic ligament
D) Vocal ligament
Answer: B
Rationale: The thyroepiglottic ligament attaches the epiglottis to the thyroid
cartilage. The hyoepiglottic ligament attaches it to the hyoid.
Q13: The primary respiratory muscle for inhalation is the:
A) Diaphragm
B) External intercostals
C) Internal intercostals
D) Abdominals
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration. External
intercostals assist; internal intercostals and abdominals are expiratory.
4
