Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the larynx below the vocal cords?

• A. Recurrent laryngeal
• B. Internal laryngeal
• C. External laryngeal
• D. Superior laryngeal

Answer: (A)

The larynx’s sensory map follows the branches of the vagus nerve: sensation above the vocal cords is carried by the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, while sensation below the vocal cords is carried by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs in the tracheoesophageal groove and provides sensory innervation to the mucosa of the glottis and tissues below the vocal cords (subglottic region). It’s the nerve that also supplies most intrinsic laryngeal muscles, except cricothyroid, which is the job of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Therefore, for sensory innervation below the vocal cords, the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the correct choice.