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MBBS QUESTION #10168
Question 1
A patient develops hoarseness of voice and a weak cough following thyroidectomy. Which nerve was most likely injured intraoperatively?
  • Superior laryngeal nerve (external branch)
  • Recurrent laryngeal nerve✔️
  • Main trunk of the vagus nerve
  • Hypoglossal nerve
Correct Answer Explanation
The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except cricothyroid and runs close to the inferior thyroid artery and thyroid gland capsule, placing it at risk during thyroidectomy; injury causes hoarseness due to unilateral vocal cord paralysis.