HN 06. Face: muscles, blood supply, nerves and lymph
Anatomy, MBBS Second Year. This chapter is split into 3 topics and has
145 practice questions. The topics covered are listed below, followed by
10 free sample questions from the chapter.
Topics in this chapter
Basic principles & muscles of facial expression46 questions
10 sample questions with the correct answer and an explanation. Try to answer each one before reading the explanation.
Q1. Assertion: All muscles of facial expression are supplied by the facial nerve. Reason: They are all derived from the 2nd pharyngeal arch, whose nerve is the facial nerve.
A. The assertion is false but the reason is true
B. The assertion is true but the reason is false
C. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason does not explain the assertion
D. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion(correct answer)
Answer: D.Because the muscles of facial expression derive from the 2nd pharyngeal arch (whose nerve is the facial nerve), they are all supplied by the facial nerve — the reason explains the assertion.
Q2. Which branches does the superficial temporal artery give?
A. Supratrochlear, supraorbital and lacrimal arteries
B. Occipital and posterior auricular arteries
C. Transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, middle temporal and anterior auricular arteries, plus 2 terminal branches(correct answer)
D. Inferior labial, superior labial, lateral nasal and angular arteries
Answer: C.The superficial temporal artery gives the transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, middle temporal and anterior auricular arteries, and divides into 2 terminal branches (anterior and posterior).
Q3. Which comparison of the facial artery and superficial temporal artery branches is correct?
A. The facial artery gives inferior labial, superior labial, lateral nasal and angular branches, while the superficial temporal gives transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, middle temporal and anterior auricular branches plus 2 terminals(correct answer)
B. Both arteries give identical branches
C. The superficial temporal artery gives the angular artery
D. The facial artery gives transverse facial and zygomatico-orbital branches
Answer: A.The facial artery's 4 facial branches are inferior labial, superior labial, lateral nasal and angular; the superficial temporal artery gives transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, middle temporal and anterior auricular arteries and 2 terminal branches.
Q4. Which statement about the buccinator is correct?
A. It arises from the maxilla, mandible and pterygomandibular raphe, is covered by the facial artery, anterior facial vein, buccal fat pad, buccopharyngeal fascia and buccal nerves, and is pierced by the parotid duct and buccal nerve(correct answer)
B. It is supplied by the trigeminal nerve
C. It arises from the zygomatic arch and is pierced by the facial artery
D. It has no relation to the parotid duct
Answer: A.The buccinator arises from the maxilla, mandible and pterygomandibular raphe; it is covered by 2 vessels (facial artery anteriorly, anterior facial vein posteriorly), 2 fascia, 2 nerves and the buccal lymph node, and is pierced by the parotid duct and buccal branch of the mandibular nerve.
Q5. Assertion: The facial vein has a valveless connection with intracranial venous sinuses. Reason: The anterior facial vein connects with the cavernous sinus directly via the ophthalmic veins and indirectly via the deep facial vein and pterygoid plexus.
A. The assertion is true but the reason is false
B. The assertion is false but the reason is true
C. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion(correct answer)
D. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason does not explain the assertion
Answer: C.Because the anterior facial vein communicates with the cavernous sinus directly (ophthalmic veins) and indirectly (deep facial vein → pterygoid plexus → emissary veins), infection can spread intracranially — the reason explains the assertion.
Q6. A patient has an infected boil on the upper lip. Which serious complication is most feared?
A. Facial nerve palsy
B. Submandibular abscess only
C. Cavernous sinus thrombosis(correct answer)
D. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
Answer: C.Infection from the dangerous area of the face (upper lip, nose, eye, forehead) can spread via the ophthalmic and deep facial veins to the dural sinuses, causing cavernous sinus thrombosis.
Q7. Which comparison of the sensory supply of the face is correct?
A. The mandibular division supplies the external nasal nerve
B. The ophthalmic division supplies the mental nerve
C. The ophthalmic division supplies 5 facial branches, the maxillary division supplies the zygomaticofacial and infraorbital nerves, and the mandibular division supplies the buccal, mental and auriculotemporal nerves(correct answer)
D. The maxillary division supplies the supratrochlear nerve
Q8. Which of the following nerves is NOT a branch of the facial nerve?
A. The temporal branch
B. The buccal branch
C. The cervical branch
D. The auriculotemporal nerve(correct answer)
Answer: D.The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve; the facial nerve gives temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular and cervical branches (plus posterior auricular and nerve to digastric).
Q9. Which statement summarises the anatomy of the face?
A. No deep fascia; facial-expression muscles from the 2nd arch supplied by the facial nerve; arteries mainly external carotid with an internal carotid contribution; sensation from the trigeminal except the mandibular angle (great auricular); lymph to submental, submandibular and parotid nodes(correct answer)
B. The face has deep fascia and all its muscles are supplied by the trigeminal nerve
C. The face is supplied only by the internal carotid artery and drains only to the submental nodes
D. Sensation of the whole face is from the facial nerve
Answer: A.Key points: no deep fascia; facial-expression muscles from the 2nd pharyngeal arch supplied by the facial nerve; arterial supply mainly external carotid with internal carotid contribution; sensation from the trigeminal nerve except the angle of the mandible (great auricular); lymph to submental, submandibular and parotid nodes.
Q10. Which statement about the arterial supply of the face is correct?
A. Only the facial branch of the external carotid artery
B. Chiefly the internal carotid, with a vertebral artery contribution
C. Chiefly the external carotid, with an internal carotid contribution(correct answer)
D. Only the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery
Answer: C.The external carotid artery supplies most of the face through the facial, superficial temporal and maxillary arteries, and the internal carotid contributes through the ophthalmic artery.