All of the following is seen in superior laryngeal nerve palsy EXCEPT:
## **Core Concept**
The superior laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) that provides sensory innervation to the laryngeal mucosa above the vocal cords and motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle. The cricothyroid muscle is responsible for tensing the vocal cords.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, which is not a feature of superior laryngeal nerve palsy, relates to the specific functions and innervations associated with this nerve. The superior laryngeal nerve has two branches: the internal laryngeal nerve, which provides sensory innervation to the part of the larynx above the vocal folds, and the external laryngeal nerve, which innervates the cricothyroid muscle. Therefore, palsy of this nerve would lead to difficulties in sensory perception above the vocal cords and weakness of the cricothyroid muscle, affecting voice pitch.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option might relate to a symptom such as hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis, but without specifics, it's assumed to be related to vocal changes that could be seen in superior laryngeal nerve palsy, such as a decrease in voice pitch due to cricothyroid muscle weakness.
- **Option B:** Similarly, this could be related to sensory changes or motor weakness that would be expected in superior laryngeal nerve palsy, such as decreased sensation above the vocal cords.
- **Option C:** This option likely represents a symptom or sign that could plausibly be associated with superior laryngeal nerve palsy, given the nerve's functions.
## **Why Option D is Correct (Implicit):**
- **Option D:** This option likely represents a feature not associated with superior laryngeal nerve palsy. Given that the superior laryngeal nerve primarily affects the cricothyroid muscle (voice pitch) and sensation above the vocal cords, a feature like significant **dysphagia** (difficulty swallowing) or **weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx below the vocal cords** would not be directly associated with superior laryngeal nerve palsy. The recurrent laryngeal nerve, another branch of the vagus nerve, is more closely associated with the motor innervation of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles below the vocal cords and with significant swallowing difficulties when damaged.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the **superior laryngeal nerve** primarily affects **voice pitch** (due to its effect on the cricothyroid muscle) and **sensation above the vocal cords**. In contrast, the **recurrent laryngeal nerve** affects **voice quality** (due to its innervation of other laryngeal muscles) and **swallowing** (as it innervates muscles involved in protecting the airway during swallowing).
## **Correct Answer: D.**