A patient presents with ipsilateral paralysis of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx, loss of taste from the posterior third of the tongue, and weakness of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius, all on the left. A tumour at which skull base foramen best explains this combination?

• A Foramen ovale
• B Jugular foramen ✓
• C Internal acoustic meatus
• D Hypoglossal canal

Explanation

This is Vernet syndrome, produced by a lesion of the jugular foramen, which transmits CN IX, CN X and CN XI together with the sigmoid sinus becoming the internal jugular vein. Glossopharyngeal involvement explains loss of gag and posterior tongue taste, vagal involvement explains palatal and laryngeal paralysis, and accessory involvement explains sternocleidomastoid and trapezius weakness. The hypoglossal canal carries only CN XII, and the internal acoustic meatus carries VII and VIII.

Reference: Snell's Clinical Neuroanatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.