Sensory innervation of the laryngeal mucosa is segmental. The mucosa of the larynx ABOVE the vocal folds is supplied by:

• A Recurrent laryngeal nerve
• B Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve ✓
• C External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
• D Glossopharyngeal nerve via the pharyngeal plexus

Explanation

The internal laryngeal nerve, the sensory branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, pierces the thyrohyoid membrane with the superior laryngeal artery and supplies sensation above the vocal folds. Below the folds, sensation travels with the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The external branch is purely motor to cricothyroid. This split explains why supraglottic tumours cause referred ear pain via the vagus while glottic lesions present earlier with hoarseness rather than pain.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.