A 72-year-old man presented to the clinic complaining of ear pain of 3 months duration. The pain started with minimal intensity and progressed through the course of the previous months. The patient complains of difficulty swallowing solid food. The patient is a heavy smoker and has been smoking 2 packs of cigarettes per day for the last 20 years. The otoscopic examination did not reveal any abnormalities in the ear. Neck examination reveals an enlarged lymph node in the right anterior neck. Laryngoscopy reveals an ulcerative mass found in the hypopharynx. Which of the following nerves is the origin of the earache in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Referred earache constitutes 10% of the causes of otalgia. Malignancies affecting the hypopharyngeal wall, the base of the tongue, or the larynx will present with otalgia.

A 72-Year-Old Man Presented to the Clinic Complaining of Ear