A 26-Year-Old Woman Is Evaluated for Increasing Discomfort in the Right

A 26-year-old woman is evaluated for increasing discomfort in the right posterior mandible.  The patient has no prior medical conditions and takes no medications.  Physical examination is unremarkable with the exception of a partially erupted right mandibular third molar tooth.  Radiographs reveal impaction of the molar tooth.  Surgical tooth extraction under general anesthesia is performed.  During the surgery, the inferior alveolar nerve that is close to the tooth is inadvertently injured.  Which of the following is the most likely to be observed on the injured side?

A) Loss of general sensation in the anterior tongue
B) Loss of general sensation in the posterior tongue
C) Loss of sensation in the lower lip
D) Loss of taste sensation in anterior tongue
E) Loss of taste sensation in the posterior tongue
F) Weakness of the masseter muscle

Correct Answer:

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