Which intrinsic muscle of the larynx is responsible for abducting the vocal ligaments, thereby opening the rima glottidis?

Correct answer: Posterior cricoarytenoid

Explanation

This question tests the function of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, highlighting the unique and critical role of the posterior cricoarytenoid as the sole abductor of the vocal folds.

Other questions

Question 1

Which superficial muscle of the neck is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) and acts to tense the skin of the neck?

Question 2

The great auricular nerve, which provides cutaneous sensation to the skin over the angle of the mandible and the auricle, is composed of fibers from which cervical spinal nerve roots?

Question 3

A 'blowout' fracture, where the margin remains intact but the medial and/or inferior walls are fractured, affects which skeletal structure of the head?

Question 4

Which muscle of mastication originates from the floor of the temporal fossa and inserts on the coronoid process and ramus of the mandible?

Question 5

The carotid sinus nerve, which is involved in blood pressure regulation, is a branch from which cranial nerve?

Question 6

What is the clinical significance of the pterion, a region on the lateral aspect of the skull?

Question 7

The infrahyoid muscles, such as the sternohyoid and omohyoid, are primarily innervated by which nerve structure?

Question 8

In a coronal section of the paranasal sinuses, which sinus is located directly superior to the oral cavity and medial to the orbit?

Question 9

Which structure forms the roof of the oral cavity and is composed of the palatine process of the maxillary bone and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone?

Question 10

The submandibular duct (of Wharton) opens into the oral cavity at which specific location?

Question 12

The recurrent laryngeal nerve can be compressed by an aortic arch aneurysm, leading to hoarseness. This nerve provides motor innervation to all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except which one?

Question 13

The lacrimal gland, responsible for tear production, is located in which part of the orbit?

Question 14

Which extrinsic eye muscle is innervated by the trochlear nerve (CN IV) and is responsible for depressing and abducting the eye?

Question 15

The auditory tube (eustachian) connects the tympanic cavity (middle ear) to which structure?

Question 16

Trauma to the skull can tear the middle meningeal artery, which runs deep to the pterion, leading to what type of intracranial hemorrhage?

Question 17

The cavernous sinus contains several important structures. Which of the following cranial nerves passes through the cavernous sinus but is NOT located within its lateral wall?

Question 18

The cerebral arterial circle (of Willis) is a critical anastomosis at the base of the brain. Which of the following arteries is NOT a direct contributor to this circle?

Question 19

Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression, the stapedius, and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle?

Question 20

The optic nerve (CN II) and ophthalmic artery enter the orbit through which opening in the skull?

Question 21

An infection in the 'danger triangle' of the face can spread to the cavernous sinus primarily through which venous connection?

Question 22

Which bony framework structure is formed by the hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, and mylohyoid line of the mandible?

Question 23

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic, unilateral facial nerve palsy. This condition would most directly affect which group of muscles?

Question 24

The vertebral artery ascends through the transverse foramina of which cervical vertebrae before entering the skull?

Question 25

Which two arteries provide the primary arterial supply to the thyroid gland?

Question 26

The chorda tympani, which carries taste fibers from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, is a branch of which cranial nerve?

Question 27

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) exits the skull through which foramen?

Question 28

Which muscle group is primarily responsible for elevating the hyoid bone, floor of the mouth, and tongue during swallowing and speaking?

Question 29

The dens (odontoid process) is a prominent feature of which cervical vertebra, allowing for pivotal rotation of the head?

Question 30

Which dural venous sinus is located in the superior border of the falx cerebri and is a common site for the drainage of superior cerebral veins?

Question 31

Which fascial layer of the neck encloses the vertebral column and its associated deep muscles, such as the longus colli and scalenes?

Question 32

In a T1-weighted sagittal MRI of the head, which structure is located immediately posterior to the optic chiasm and anterior to the mammillary body?

Question 33

Which muscle is palpated to identify the 'nerve point of the neck' for administering a cervical plexus block?

Question 34

What is the primary action of the genioglossus muscle?

Question 35

The main trunk of the facial nerve (CN VII) emerges from the skull through which foramen?

Question 36

Which structure passes through the foramen magnum?

Question 37

The parotid duct (of Stensen) pierces which muscle to enter the oral cavity?

Question 38

In a T2-weighted axial MRI of the brain, which structure is located immediately posterior to the pons?

Question 39

What is the innervation of the dilator pupillae muscle, which is responsible for dilating the pupil?

Question 40

An anastomosis site of vessels in the nasal vestibule, known as Kiesselbach's plexus, is a common site of nosebleeds (epistaxis). Which of the following arteries contributes to this plexus?

Question 41

Which structure separates the superior and inferior portions of the prevertebral fascia in the neck, forming a potential space for infection to spread from the neck to the mediastinum?

Question 42

The bony framework of the nasal septum is primarily formed by which two bones?

Question 43

According to the usual age of eruption for deciduous (primary) teeth, which teeth are typically the last to erupt, around 20 to 24 months?

Question 44

The lymphatic drainage of the tip of the tongue primarily goes to which group of lymph nodes?

Question 45

The otic ganglion, which provides parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland, is functionally associated with which cranial nerve but topographically located near which other nerve?

Question 46

A lesion of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) would result in deviation of the protruded tongue to which side?

Question 47

The tensor veli palatini muscle, which tenses the soft palate, is innervated by a branch of which nerve?

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a direct branch of the external carotid artery in the neck?

Question 49

The palatine tonsils are located in the oropharynx between which two arches?

Question 50

The thoracic duct, the main lymphatic vessel of the body, typically drains into the venous system at the junction of which two veins on the left side of the neck?