Question

A fracture of the ethmoid bone would result in damage to which cranial nerve?

1) glossopharyngeal
2) vagus
3) olfactory
4) accessory

Answer 1

A fracture of the ethmoid bone would typically damage the olfactory nerve (CN I), which is responsible for the sense of smell.

Step-by-step explanation:

A fracture of the ethmoid bone would likely result in damage to the olfactory nerve, which is responsible for the sense of smell. This cranial nerve is known as the first cranial nerve (CN I). The other nerves listed, such as the glossopharyngeal (CN IX), vagus (CN X), and accessory (CN XI) nerves, serve different functions unrelated to the sense of smell. The glossopharyngeal nerve is involved in taste and salivation in the posterior oral cavity, the vagus nerve has autonomic functions in the thoracic and superior abdominal cavities, and the accessory nerve controls certain muscles in the neck and shoulders.