During excision of a submandibular gland, the surgeon notes a nerve that crosses the lateral surface of the duct, then hooks beneath it to become medial before entering the tongue. Which nerve is this?
- A Hypoglossal nerve
- B Glossopharyngeal nerve
- C Lingual nerve ✓
- D Mylohyoid nerve
Correct answer: C. Lingual nerve
Explanation
The lingual nerve runs lateral to the submandibular duct above, then winds inferiorly and medially around the duct to enter the tongue, giving the classic double relation. The hypoglossal nerve also crosses the region but stays superficial to hyoglossus and has no relationship to the duct itself. The mylohyoid nerve lies on the mylohyoid muscle supplying it and the anterior belly of digastric, far from the duct.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
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