Neuroanatomy USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 47-year-old woman with no significant past medical history presents to the emergency department with acute onset right-sided facial weakness. On examination, she has complete inability to close her right eye, right-sided facial droop affecting the forehead and mouth, loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the right tongue, and hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound) on the right. Corneal reflex is intact bilaterally. Neurological examination is otherwise unremarkable with normal strength in extremities and intact gag reflex. Brain MRI with and without contrast is normal. Which of the following anatomical locations best explains the pattern of neurological deficits in this patient?
Answer choices
- AFacial nerve nucleus in the pons
- BFacial nerve distal to the geniculate ganglion but proximal to the stylomastoid foramen
- CFacial nerve at the cerebellopontine angle
- DFacial nerve proximal to the geniculate ganglion within the temporal boneCorrect answer
- EFacial nerve at the stylomastoid foramen
- FCorticobulbar tract in the internal capsule
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