One of the following statements regarding the innervation of airway structures is most correct:
ExplanationB. The ophthalmic (V1) and maxillary (V2) divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) convey sensory information from the nasal mucosa. Blockade of these nerves would facilitate awake nasotracheal intubation. The gag reflex is elicited primarily by tactile stimulation of the posterior one-third of the tongue. The afferent limb of this reflex is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), not the recurrent laryngeal nerve (choice A) or the hypoglossal nerve (choice D). The superior surface of the epiglottis is innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), not the glossopharyngeal (choice C). In general, the SLN provides sensory innervation to all structures of the larynx above the vocal cords, including the epiglottis.
