The sensory nerve to the laryngeal mucosa below the vocal cords is which nerve?

Study for the NBME Gross Anatomy High Yield Test. Enhance your learning with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each detailed with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your anatomy exam!

Multiple Choice

The sensory nerve to the laryngeal mucosa below the vocal cords is which nerve?

Explanation:
Sensation in the larynx is divided by region: mucosa above the vocal cords versus below them. The mucosa below the vocal cords is carried by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus. It travels in the tracheoesophageal groove and then ascends to innervate the infraglottic (below the cords) mucosa. This same nerve also provides motor fibers to most intrinsic laryngeal muscles (except cricothyroid). So the sensory nerve to laryngeal mucosa below the vocal cords is the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Sensation in the larynx is divided by region: mucosa above the vocal cords versus below them. The mucosa below the vocal cords is carried by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus. It travels in the tracheoesophageal groove and then ascends to innervate the infraglottic (below the cords) mucosa. This same nerve also provides motor fibers to most intrinsic laryngeal muscles (except cricothyroid). So the sensory nerve to laryngeal mucosa below the vocal cords is the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

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