Beginner Hypoglossal Nerve Quiz

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This quiz contains 10 questions. Click below to begin.

Q1. Which cranial nerve number corresponds to the hypoglossal nerve?

  • CN XII
  • CN XI
  • CN IX
  • CN X

Q2. What is the principal functional component of the hypoglossal nerve?

  • Preganglionic parasympathetic
  • Special sensory for taste
  • General sensory
  • Somatic motor

Q3. Where is the hypoglossal nucleus located?

  • Upper cervical spinal cord
  • Midbrain
  • Pons
  • Medulla

Q4. From which surface of the medulla do hypoglossal rootlets emerge?

  • Between the pyramid and olive
  • From the dorsal midbrain
  • Between the olive and inferior cerebellar peduncle
  • At the pontomedullary junction lateral to CN VIII

Q5. Through which opening does CN XII leave the skull?

  • Stylomastoid foramen
  • Foramen ovale
  • Hypoglossal canal
  • Jugular foramen

Q6. Which tongue muscle is NOT supplied by the hypoglossal nerve?

  • Hyoglossus
  • Styloglossus
  • Genioglossus
  • Palatoglossus

Q7. Which major tongue protrusor is supplied by CN XII?

  • Genioglossus
  • Palatoglossus
  • Styloglossus
  • Superior pharyngeal constrictor

Q8. What happens to the tongue on protrusion after a unilateral lower motor neuron lesion of CN XII?

  • It deviates away from the lesion
  • It retracts without deviation
  • It remains perfectly midline
  • It deviates toward the side of the lesion

Q9. Which finding may develop in the tongue after a lower motor neuron hypoglossal lesion?

  • Atrophy and fasciculations
  • Facial anesthesia
  • Hyperacusis
  • Loss of pupillary reflexes

Q10. Which statement best describes CN XII?

  • It is a motor nerve supplying most tongue muscles
  • It carries taste from the tongue
  • It supplies the muscles of mastication
  • It provides the main sensory innervation of the tongue
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