A patient has fallen off a ladder and presents to the doctor with issues elevating the scapula and rotating their head. Which cranial nerve was most likely injured?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the clinical scenario: a patient who has fallen and now has difficulty elevating the scapula and rotating the head. These functions are primarily mediated by the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck that are innervated by a specific cranial nerve.
Option 1: Accessory nerve (CN XI). The spinal accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid (which helps rotate the head) and the trapezius (which elevates the scapula). Injury to CN XI can lead to weakness in elevating the scapula and turning the head, matching the presentation described.
Option 2: Vagus (CN X). The vagus nerve controls many autonomic and some laryngeal muscles, but it is not responsible for scapular elevation or rotation of the head. Therefore, this option does not explain the observed deficits.
Option 3: Trigeminal nerve (CN V). This nerve primarily mediates facial sensation and muscles of mastication. It does not govern scapular elevation or neck rotation, so it is inconsistent with the symptoms.
Option 4: Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). The hypoglossal nerve controls tongue movements. Its impairment would produce tongue-related deficits rather than problems with the scapula or head rotation, making this option unlikely.
Option 5: Facial nerve (CN VII). The facial nerve controls facial expression and some autonomic functions but not the actions of elevating the scapula or rotating the head, so it does not fit the clinical picture.
In summary, the combination of impaired scapular elevation and head rotation aligns with injury to the nerve supplying the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid, namely the accessory nerve (CN XI), while the other listed nerves do not explain these specific motor deficits.

A patient has fallen off a ladder and presents to the doctor with issues elevating the scapula and rotating their head. Which cranial nerve was most likely injured?单项选择题

类似问题

The Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, and Abducens Nerves all innervate the eye and are referred to as Cranial Nerves _________________:

The hypoglossal nerve is located:

The Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, and Abducens Nerves all innervate the eye and are referred to as Cranial Nerves _________________:

Which of the following cranial nerves are responsible for carrying nerve impulses associated with the special senses?

Which of these cranial nerves has its nucleus contained within the pons and carries parasympathetic fibers?

Which of the cranial nerves below make up of sensory and motor neurons?

Match the cranial nerve to the foramen it passes through. Some answers may be used multiple times. 1: Abducens nerve 2: Hypoglossal nerve 3: Vestibulocochlear nerve 4: Oculomotor nerve 5: Vagus nerve

Identify the indicated structure.

更多留学生实用工具

智能学习助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单