Which outcome is a typical functional consequence of injury to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve?

• A. Paralysis of the left vocal fold with hoarseness
• B. Loss of sensation in laryngeal mucosa
• C. Inability to swallow saliva
• D. Reduced gag reflex

Answer: (B)

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve carries sensory fibers from the mucosa below the vocal cords. When this nerve is injured, that sensation is lost, producing numbness of the laryngeal mucosa in the infraglottic region. This loss of sensation is a typical functional consequence of RLN injury because it directly reflects the sensory role of the nerve in the lower part of the larynx. The nerve also has motor fibers to most intrinsic laryngeal muscles, so motor effects like vocal fold weakness can occur, but sensations to the laryngeal mucosa below the cords are a characteristic and specific outcome of RLN damage. Choices reflecting gag reflex or swallowing involve other nerves, not the recurrent laryngeal nerve.