The stapedius muscle is supplied by a branch of the facial nerve that arises from which segment?

• A Mastoid (vertical) segment just above the stylomastoid foramen ✓
• B Labyrinthine segment
• C Tympanic (horizontal) segment
• D Extratemporal trunk distal to the stylomastoid foramen

Explanation

The nerve to the stapedius (a branch of the facial nerve) arises from the mastoid (vertical) segment of the facial nerve, just proximal to the exit of the chorda tympani. Clinically, intact stapedial reflex testing in the presence of facial palsy can help localize the lesion: if the stapedial reflex is present, the lesion is distal to the nerve to stapedius origin; if absent, the lesion involves the mastoid segment or higher.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.