The facial nerve exits the skull through which foramen, and which branch of the facial nerve carries parasympathetic secretomotor fibers to the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands?
- A Foramen ovale; chorda tympani nerve
- B Stylomastoid foramen; greater petrosal nerve
- C Stylomastoid foramen; chorda tympani nerve ✓
- D Jugular foramen; nerve to stapedius
Correct answer: C. Stylomastoid foramen; chorda tympani nerve
Explanation
The facial nerve exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen. The chorda tympani nerve, which arises from the facial nerve in the mastoid segment, carries taste afferents from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic secretomotor fibers (via the submandibular ganglion) to the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. The greater petrosal nerve supplies the lacrimal gland, not the salivary glands.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.