INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

What nerve provides motor innervation to all larynx muscles except the cricothyroid?

1. Vagus nerve

2. Phrenic nerve

3. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (X)

4. Superior laryngeal nerve

The correct answer is: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (X)

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (X) is the correct answer because it provides motor innervation to all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle. The cricothyroid muscle is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Option A, the vagus nerve, is incorrect because while it provides general sensory innervation to the larynx, it does not provide motor innervation to all larynx muscles except the cricothyroid. Option B, the phrenic nerve, is incorrect as it mainly innervates the diaphragm and is not involved in motor innervation of the larynx muscles. Option D, the superior laryngeal nerve, is incorrect as it provides motor innervation only to the cricothyroid muscle, not to all larynx muscles except the cricothyroid.