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Superior laryngeal nerve airway sensory anatomy — FRCA Primary MCQ

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ModerateAnatomySuperior laryngeal nerve airway sensory anatomyFRCA Primary

A patient has airway topicalisation for awake intubation. Local anaesthetic applied above the vocal cords reduces cough during supraglottic manipulation. Which nerve provides sensory innervation above the vocal cords?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Recurrent laryngeal nerve

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve provides sensory innervation above the vocal cords. The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies sensation below the cords and most intrinsic laryngeal muscles. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve supplies cricothyroid motor function. The pearl is that awake intubation topicalisation should be mapped to airway sensory anatomy.

Reference: RCoA Primary FRCA Syllabus 2026; Anatomy for Anaesthetists