The left recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates which areas?

• A. The left vocal fold and inferior pharynx
• B. The left cricothyroid muscle
• C. The right vocal fold
• D. The tongue muscles

Answer: (A)

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve carries motor fibers to the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (all except the cricothyroid) and provides sensory innervation to the mucosa below the vocal cords and to the inferior pharynx. This means it controls movements of the left vocal fold and relays sensation from the laryngeal region below the vocal folds as well as the lower pharynx. It does not innervate the cricothyroid muscle (that’s the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve), it does not supply the right vocal fold, and it does not innervate tongue muscles. Its left-sided course looping under the aortic arch explains why thoracic issues can affect left laryngeal function.