A patient reports nicking the chorda tympani during otosclerosis surgery; which symptom is likely reported?

A patient reports nicking the chorda tympani during otosclerosis surgery; which symptom is likely reported?

• A. Decreased sensation of taste
• B. Decreased hearing in the high frequencies
• C. Decreased hearing in the low frequencies
• D. Difficulty swallowing

Answer: (A)

Chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve that carries taste fibers from the anterior two‑thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands. It runs through the middle ear, so it can be injured during otosclerosis surgery. When damaged, the most likely symptom is a loss or reduction of taste on the front part of the tongue on the affected side (and may be accompanied by dry mouth from reduced salivary output). Hearing-related options aren’t affected by this nerve, and swallowing involves different nerves, so those symptoms wouldn’t be expected from nicking the chorda tympani.

Chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve that carries taste fibers from the anterior two‑thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands. It runs through the middle ear, so it can be injured during otosclerosis surgery. When damaged, the most likely symptom is a loss or reduction of taste on the front part of the tongue on the affected side (and may be accompanied by dry mouth from reduced salivary output). Hearing-related options aren’t affected by this nerve, and swallowing involves different nerves, so those symptoms wouldn’t be expected from nicking the chorda tympani.