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

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

Answer: (D)

The sensation for the part of the larynx above the vocal cords is carried by the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, a sensory branch of the vagus. This nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane with the superior laryngeal artery to supply the mucosa of the laryngeal inlet, including areas above the cords such as the epiglottis. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, by contrast, is purely motor to the cricothyroid muscle and does not carry sensation. The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies motor to most intrinsic laryngeal muscles and sensory below the vocal cords. So the correct choice reflects the internal laryngeal nerve’s role in above-vocal-cord sensation.