Question

A patient presents with the complaint of inability to close the eye, drooling of saliva, and deviation of the angle of the mouth. Which of the following nerves is most likely to be affected?

• A. Facial nerve
• B. Trigeminal nerve
• C. Oculomotor nerve
• D. Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The symptoms presented by the patient—inability to close the eye, drooling of saliva, and deviation of the angle of the mouth—are indicative of a condition that affects the muscles of facial expression. These symptoms are typically associated with a condition called Bell's palsy. The nerve responsible for controlling these muscles is the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The facial nerve is crucial for the function of facial muscles, and its impairment results in the inability to perform facial movements properly.

Let's analyze the options:

• Facial nerve: Controls muscles of facial expression, which relates directly to the symptoms presented.
• Trigeminal nerve: Involved in sensory supply to the face and motor functions for mastication, not related to facial expression.
• Oculomotor nerve: Controls most eye movements and pupil constriction but does not affect facial muscles.
• Glossopharyngeal nerve: Involved in taste and some functions of the throat, not related to facial expression.

Based on this analysis, the most likely affected nerve causing the symptoms in this patient is the facial nerve.