Head and Neck Anatomy MCQs – 29 MCQs | Kenya MBChB

29 Year 1: Anatomy exam questions on Head and Neck Anatomy MCQs for medical students. Includes MCQs, answers, explanations and written questions. Sample: Regard

This MCQ set contains 29 questions on Head and Neck Anatomy MCQs in the Year 1: Anatomy unit. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation for active recall and exam preparation.

Q1: Regarding the superior orbital fissure, which is INCORRECT?

  1. A. Its common tendinous ring binds the SOF content of nerves and muscles to the contents of the optic canal
  2. B. The origin of levator palpebrae superioris is its bony upper margin
  3. C. Lacrimal, frontal and trochlear nerves pass through it
  4. D. The oculomotor, abducens and nasociliary nerves lie within the cone of the extraocular muscles

Correct answer: A – Its common tendinous ring binds the SOF content of nerves and muscles to the contents of the optic canal

The common tendinous ring (annulus of Zinn) does not bind the superior orbital fissure contents to the optic canal contents. The tendinous ring is located around the optic canal and medial part of the superior orbital fissure, serving as the origin for the four rectus muscles.

Q2: Regarding the extraocular muscles:

  1. A. They all arise from a common tendinous ring around the superior orbital fissure
  2. B. The rectus muscles all pass laterally to their point of insertion because of the angle of the orbital apex within the skull
  3. C. The superior oblique muscle passes through the trochlear, a fibrocartilage loop attached to the frontal bone lateral margin, just behind the orbital m
  4. D. Except for superior oblique, all nerve supply to muscles enter from their optic side

Correct answer: D – Except for superior oblique, all nerve supply to muscles enter from their optic side

The nerve supply to extraocular muscles (except superior oblique) enters from the orbital/optic side. Option A is incorrect because not all muscles arise from the tendinous ring (superior oblique and inferior oblique don't). Option C is incorrect because the trochlea is attached to the frontal bone's medial margin, not lateral margin.

Q3: With regards to eye movement, which is INCORRECT?

  1. A. The medial and lateral rectus evoke simple horizontal movement only
  2. B. The inferior oblique turns the eye down and out
  3. C. The superior rectus turns the eye up and in
  4. D. The inferior rectus and superior oblique together produce vertical down gaze

Correct answer: B – The inferior oblique turns the eye down and out

The inferior oblique turns the eye UP and OUT, not down and out. The inferior oblique elevates, abducts, and extorts the eye.

Q4: Which is INCORRECT?

  1. A. In a 4th cranial nerve paralysis, the affected eye lies slightly inturned
  2. B. In a 6th cranial nerve palsy, the lateral rectus is affected
  3. C. In a 3rd nerve palsy, levator palpebrae is affected
  4. D. In an oculomotor nerve palsy the eye looks down and out

Correct answer: A – In a 4th cranial nerve paralysis, the affected eye lies slightly inturned

In 4th cranial nerve (trochlear) paralysis, the affected eye is typically slightly upturned and outturned, not inturned. The superior oblique muscle is paralyzed, leading to loss of its actions (depression, intorsion, and slight abduction).

Q5: With regards to the retina, which is CORRECT?

  1. A. The retina covers the inner surface of the choroid and is light sensitive everywhere except at the corneal area
  2. B. The optic disc contains retina that is completely free of blood vessels and is yellowish in color
  3. C. The optic disc and fovea are of similar size
  4. D. The fovea contains no blood vessels or cones, but a high concentration of rods

Correct answer: C – The optic disc and fovea are of similar size

The optic disc and fovea are indeed of similar size (approximately 1.5mm in diameter). The fovea contains a high concentration of cones, not rods, and has no blood vessels.

Q6: The nasal septum consists of:

  1. A. The maxilla
  2. B. The vomer and ethmoid bones
  3. C. The sphenoid and ethmoid bones
  4. D. The frontal, zygoma and maxilla
  5. E. The vomer and palatine bones

Correct answer: B – The vomer and ethmoid bones

The nasal septum is primarily formed by the vomer (posterior-inferior part) and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone (superior part). The septal cartilage forms the anterior part.

Q7: The ophthalmic artery:

  1. A. Is a branch of the ECA
  2. B. Enters through the superior orbital fissure
  3. C. Does not penetrate the meninges of the optic nerve
  4. D. Forms an anastomosis between ECA and ICA
  5. E. Is an end artery

Correct answer: D – Forms an anastomosis between ECA and ICA

The ophthalmic artery forms important anastomoses between the external carotid artery (ECA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) systems through its terminal branches. It is a branch of the ICA and enters through the optic canal.

Q8: Regarding the carotid sheath:

  1. A. Ansa cervicalis lies behind the IJV
  2. B. Is free to move in the neck
  3. C. Contains the vagus and phrenic nerves
  4. D. The sympathetic trunk lies outside the sheath
  5. E. The CCA lies lateral to the IJV

Correct answer: D – The sympathetic trunk lies outside the sheath

The sympathetic trunk lies outside the carotid sheath, posterior to it. The carotid sheath contains the common carotid artery (medially), internal jugular vein (laterally), and vagus nerve (posteriorly).

Q9: The contents of the jugular foramen include:

  1. A. Superior petrosal sinus
  2. B. Internal jugular vein
  3. C. Vagus nerve
  4. D. Hypoglossal nerve
  5. E. All of the above

Correct answer: C – Vagus nerve

The jugular foramen contains the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), vagus nerve (X), and accessory nerve (XI). The hypoglossal nerve passes through the hypoglossal canal.

Q10: The sensory innervation of the auricle of the ear includes:

  1. A. Auriculotemporal nerve (V3)
  2. B. Great auricular nerve (C2)
  3. C. Facial nerve via tympanic plexus (VII)
  4. D. Auricular branch of vagus (X)
  5. E. All of the above

Correct answer: E – All of the above

The auricle receives sensory innervation from multiple sources: auriculotemporal nerve, great auricular nerve, facial nerve, and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

Q11: Regarding the abducent nerve (CN VI):

  1. A. The nucleus lies in the medulla
  2. B. Supplies superior oblique muscle
  3. C. Enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure
  4. D. Has no relation to the cavernous sinus
  5. E. Carries autonomic fibers from Edinger-Westphal nucleus

Correct answer: C – Enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure

The abducent nerve enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure within the tendinous ring. The nucleus lies in the pons and it supplies the lateral rectus muscle.

Q12: Regarding the face, which is INCORRECT?

  1. A. There is no deep fascia on the face
  2. B. The bulk of orbicularis oris muscle comes from buccinator
  3. C. The eyelid muscles are completely supplied by CN VII
  4. D. The parotid duct pierces buccinator opposite the third upper molar tooth
  5. E. The facial nerve supplies the occipital belly of occipitofrontalis

Correct answer: C – The eyelid muscles are completely supplied by CN VII

The eyelid muscles are not completely supplied by CN VII. The levator palpebrae superioris is supplied by CN III (oculomotor nerve), while the orbicularis oculi is supplied by CN VII.

Q13: Regarding the trigeminal nerve:

  1. A. Branches emerge from the parotid gland
  2. B. The mandibular nerve has three cutaneous branches
  3. C. The supratrochlear nerve supplies midline forehead and scalp
  4. D. The infratrochlear nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve
  5. E. The bridge of the nose is supplied by the external nasal nerve

Correct answer: B – The mandibular nerve has three cutaneous branches

The mandibular nerve has three main cutaneous branches: auriculotemporal, buccal, and mental nerves. Supratrochlear and infratrochlear nerves are branches of the ophthalmic division (V1).

Q14: Which structure does NOT pass through the parotid gland?

  1. A. Retromandibular vein
  2. B. Temporozygomatic branch of facial nerve
  3. C. Cervicofacial branch of facial nerve
  4. D. Internal jugular vein
  5. E. External carotid artery

Correct answer: D – Internal jugular vein

The internal jugular vein does not pass through the parotid gland. It lies medial to the gland within the carotid sheath.

Q15: Which structure is NOT in the carotid sheath?

  1. A. Internal jugular vein
  2. B. Hypoglossal nerve
  3. C. Glossopharyngeal nerve
  4. D. External jugular vein
  5. E. Internal carotid artery

Correct answer: D – External jugular vein

The external jugular vein is NOT in the carotid sheath. It runs superficially in the neck, crossing the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Q16: Which is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue?

  1. A. Superior longitudinal muscle
  2. B. Genioglossus muscle
  3. C. Hyoglossus muscle
  4. D. Styloglossus muscle
  5. E. Palatoglossus muscle

Correct answer: A – Superior longitudinal muscle

The superior longitudinal muscle is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue. The others (genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus) are extrinsic muscles.

Q17: Which muscle abducts the vocal cords?

  1. A. Cricothyroid
  2. B. Oblique arytenoid
  3. C. Posterior cricoarytenoid
  4. D. Lateral cricoarytenoid
  5. E. Thyroepiglottic

Correct answer: C – Posterior cricoarytenoid

The posterior cricoarytenoid is the only muscle that abducts (opens) the vocal cords.

Q18: Which laryngeal muscle is NOT supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

  1. A. Thyroarytenoid
  2. B. Cricothyroid
  3. C. Aryepiglottic
  4. D. Oblique arytenoid
  5. E. Posterior cricoarytenoid

Correct answer: B – Cricothyroid

The cricothyroid muscle is supplied by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Q19: The internal laryngeal nerve supplies:

  1. A. Sensation to the vocal folds
  2. B. Cricothyroid muscle
  3. C. Sensation above the vocal folds
  4. D. Transverse arytenoid muscle
  5. E. Sensation below the vocal folds

Correct answer: C – Sensation above the vocal folds

The internal laryngeal nerve provides sensory innervation to the larynx above the vocal folds.

Q20: Which nerve does NOT supply skin to the upper eyelid?

  1. A. Lacrimal
  2. B. Supraorbital
  3. C. Supratrochlear
  4. D. Infratrochlear
  5. E. Infraorbital

Correct answer: E – Infraorbital

The infraorbital nerve supplies the lower eyelid, lateral nose, and upper lip, not the upper eyelid.

Q21: Which extraocular muscle does NOT arise from the tendinous ring of the orbit?

  1. A. Superior rectus
  2. B. Superior oblique
  3. C. Inferior rectus
  4. D. Medial rectus
  5. E. Lateral rectus

Correct answer: B – Superior oblique

The superior oblique muscle arises from the sphenoid bone above and medial to the optic foramen, not the common tendinous ring.

Q22: Which structure passes through the tendinous ring of the orbit?

  1. A. Ophthalmic artery
  2. B. Inferior rectus muscle
  3. C. Lacrimal nerve
  4. D. Trochlear nerve
  5. E. Superior oblique muscle

Correct answer: A – Ophthalmic artery

The ophthalmic artery passes through the tendinous ring along with the optic nerve in the optic canal.

Q23: Which bone is not part of the medial wall of the orbit?

  1. A. Maxilla
  2. B. Lacrimal bone
  3. C. Sphenoid
  4. D. Palatine bone
  5. E. Ethmoid

Correct answer: D – Palatine bone

The palatine bone contributes to the orbital floor, not the medial wall.

Q24: Which muscle helps to open the jaw?

  1. A. Medial pterygoid
  2. B. Lateral pterygoid
  3. C. Masseter
  4. D. Temporalis
  5. E. Buccinator

Correct answer: B – Lateral pterygoid

The lateral pterygoid muscle helps to open the jaw. The medial pterygoid, masseter, and temporalis close the jaw.

Q25: Regarding the vertebral column:

  1. A. Ligamentum flavum attaches adjacent pedicles
  2. B. Lumbar vertebrae have foramen in their transverse processes
  3. C. The intervertebral disc is a primary cartilaginous joint
  4. D. Rotation is greatest in the thoracic region
  5. E. The cruciform ligament holds the dens in place

Correct answer: E – The cruciform ligament holds the dens in place

The cruciform ligament holds the dens of C2 in place against the anterior arch of C1.

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