Which cranial nerve is associated with the fifth pharyngeal arch and gives rise to recurrent laryngeal branches?

Which cranial nerve is associated with the fifth pharyngeal arch and gives rise to recurrent laryngeal branches?

• A. CN X
• B. CN V
• C. CN VII
• D. CN IX

Answer: (A)

The vagus nerve is the nerve associated with the fifth pharyngeal arch. In human development, arches IV and VI are supplied by the vagus (cranial nerve X). The recurrent laryngeal branches, which loop under the aorta on the left and under the subclavian artery on the right, arise as branches of the inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve from the vagus. These nerves then ascend to innervate the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except cricothyroid) and provide sensory innervation below the vocal cords. So, the cranial nerve linked to this arch and giving rise to recurrent laryngeal branches is the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is the nerve associated with the fifth pharyngeal arch. In human development, arches IV and VI are supplied by the vagus (cranial nerve X). The recurrent laryngeal branches, which loop under the aorta on the left and under the subclavian artery on the right, arise as branches of the inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve from the vagus. These nerves then ascend to innervate the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except cricothyroid) and provide sensory innervation below the vocal cords. So, the cranial nerve linked to this arch and giving rise to recurrent laryngeal branches is the vagus nerve.