TYK17
What nerve is responsible for laryngospasm?
A. SLN (Superior laryngeal nerve)
B. RLN (Recurrent laryngeal nerve)
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Hering’s nerve (a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve)
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Answer
The answer is A. Upper airway protective mechanisms involve both the pharynx and larynx and include sneezing, swallowing, coughing, and pharyngeal or laryngeal closure. Laryngospasm is defined as a sustained closure of the true vocal cords caused by the stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus, and contraction of the adductor muscles. This demonstrates that one treatment for laryngospasm is blocking the SLN. However, by the time you could do this, your patient would probably be dead.
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