AEMCA Practice Exam

Which nerve is known for controlling throat muscles?

1. Accessory nerve

2. Glossopharyngeal nerve

3. Vagus nerve

4. Hypoglossal nerve

The correct answer is: Vagus nerve

The vagus nerve is responsible for controlling throat muscles due to its extensive role in the autonomic nervous system and its numerous branches that innervate various structures in the neck and thorax. This nerve plays a critical role in functions such as swallowing, voice production, and the reflex actions associated with the throat, making it essential for both motor and sensory control in this region. The glossopharyngeal nerve is also involved in the throat but primarily focuses on taste and some sensory functions, rather than motor control of the throat muscles. The accessory nerve mainly innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles responsible for shoulder and neck movement, rather than directly influencing throat muscles. The hypoglossal nerve primarily controls the muscles of the tongue, playing a key role in speech and swallowing but not directly managing throat muscles. Thus, given its wide-ranging influence on throat functions, the vagus nerve is correctly identified as the nerve that controls throat muscles.