A 15-Year-Old Boy Comes to the Office Due to Right

A 15-year-old boy comes to the office due to right ear itching and discomfort for the past several days.  He has no fever or hearing loss but has noted scant drainage of thin, whitish fluid.  The patient has been taking swimming lessons at a local gym.  On examination, there is no redness around the ear, but gentle traction of the pinna elicits pain.  During inspection of the external auditory canal, a speculum is inserted into the meatus in close contact with its posterior wall, causing the patient to suddenly become lightheaded and faint.  He recovers spontaneously within a few minutes with no residual confusion.  Which of the following nerves was most likely irritated during the procedure?

A) Accessory
B) Facial
C) Trigeminal
D) Vagus
E) Vestibulocochlear

Correct Answer:

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