Which of the Following Symptoms Would You Associate with Damage

Question

Which of the following symptoms would you associate with damage to the spinal accessory nerve?
A) loss of the sense of taste
B) tooth pain
C) weakness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
D) lack of facial expression
E) dry mouth from lack of saliva

Accepted Answer

The spinal accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Damage to this nerve can cause weakness or atrophy of these muscles, leading to difficulty in turning the head, elevating the shoulder, and performing other movements. Loss of the sense of taste (A), tooth pain (B), lack of facial expression (D), and dry mouth from lack of saliva (E) are not associated with the spinal accessory nerve.