Dental Nerve Blocks: Anesthesia & Complications

A patient reports experiencing pain in tooth #3, and the corresponding labial gingiva. Which nerve block would most effectively anesthetize both areas?

Following the administration of an inferior alveolar nerve block, a patient reports a persistent loss of sensation on the anterior tongue. Which nerve was most likely affected by the anesthetic?

A dentist is planning to extract tooth #15. Which nerve block(s) would be MOST appropriate to anesthetize the tooth adequately?

A patient requires scaling and root planing on the lingual aspect of the mandibular molars. Which nerve block would MOST effectively provide anesthesia for this procedure?

During the administration of a right inferior alveolar nerve block, the needle is inserted too far posteriorly, potentially affecting structures near the parotid gland. Which of the following complications is MOST likely to occur?

A patient reports numbness in the lower lip following an inferior alveolar nerve block, but the mandibular molars remain sensitive during a cavity preparation. What is the MOST likely explanation for this?

When administering a nasopalatine nerve block, which anatomical landmark is PRIMARILY used to guide needle placement?

A patient undergoing periodontal surgery on teeth 31 and 41 requires profound anesthesia of the buccal gingiva. Which nerve block(s) would be MOST appropriate?

Following a dental procedure, a patient reports a burning sensation and altered taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Which local anesthetic is MOST likely to be associated with this complication?

A neurologist is studying a neuron and observes that its soma is not effectively channeling signals to the axon hillock. What is the most likely consequence of this dysfunction?

A researcher is investigating a new drug that selectively targets and inhibits the function of a specific type of neuroglia in the central nervous system. If the drug impairs the ability of these neuroglia to regulate the composition of the extracellular fluid and support neurons, which type of neuroglia is most likely being targeted?

Following a traumatic brain injury, a patient exhibits impaired motor function and muscle weakness. Which type of neuron is MOST likely to be affected?

In a neuron at rest, what would be the MOST likely effect of a drug that selectively blocks the function of the sodium-potassium pump?

A neuroscientist discovers a genetic mutation that impairs the function of Schwann cells. What is the most likely consequence of this mutation?

A researcher observes that a particular neuron has a significantly reduced capacity to relay information within the central nervous system. Which type of neuron is most likely affected?

If a toxin selectively targets and destroys oligodendrocytes, what is the most likely direct consequence in the central nervous system?

If a neurotoxin selectively blocked potassium channels in a neuron, what would be the most likely immediate effect on the neuron's ability to generate action potentials?

A patient experiences a stroke that damages a specific region within the hindbrain. Post-stroke, the patient exhibits a normal cognitive function, but has impaired balance and coordination. Which specific area of the hindbrain was most likely affected by the stroke?

A patient is diagnosed with a condition that impairs the function of ependymal cells. Which of the following is the most likely direct consequence of this condition?

A researcher is studying the effects of a neurotoxin that selectively inhibits the release of neurotransmitters at the axon terminals. What is the most likely immediate consequence of this neurotoxin's action?

How would simultaneous activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems impact heart rate, considering their opposing effects?

A researcher is studying a neuron and observes that its membrane potential is more negative than the typical resting potential. Which alteration in ion channel activity could explain this observation?

A scientist discovers a new drug that selectively enhances the activity of microglia. What is the most likely therapeutic benefit of this drug?

Which of the following responses best explains why the nervous system can provide an immediate reaction, whereas the endocrine system typically provides a slower, more prolonged response?

What best illustrates the interaction between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in response to a sudden environmental change, such as touching a hot stove?

How would the function of voltage-gated sodium channels be impacted if they remained permanently open following membrane depolarization?

A neuron is stimulated with a series of stimuli. Stimulus A results in a small depolarization that doesn't trigger an action potential. Stimulus B, applied shortly after Stimulus A, combines with it to reach the threshold and initiate an action potential. Which process does this best illustrate?

How would a drug that specifically blocks the function of the sodium-potassium pump affect a neuron's ability to fire action potentials over time?

What impact would a toxin that selectively inhibits voltage-gated potassium channels have on the action potential?

Which of the following changes to the extracellular environment would most likely decrease the likelihood of a neuron reaching threshold and initiating an action potential?

How would artificially increasing the number of always-open (leak) potassium channels on a neuron's membrane affect its excitability?

Given that action potentials are "all-or-nothing" events, how does a neuron encode information about the strength of a stimulus?

What changes in the phases of action potential would occur due to the presence of a drug that causes a prolonged inactivation of sodium channels?

How would the initiation of an action potential be affected if the threshold potential of a neuron shifted from -55mV to -40mV?

A researcher discovers a new ion channel that selectively allows chloride ions (Cl-) to move across the neuronal membrane. If this channel opens during the relative refractory period, what is the most likely effect on the neuron?

How would the action potential in a neuron be affected if the neuron's sodium-potassium pumps stopped functioning?

A neurotoxin selectively blocks voltage-gated potassium channels in a neuron. What effect would this have on the neuron's ability to generate action potentials?

How would doubling the length of the myelin sheath between the Nodes of Ranvier affect the speed of action potential propagation?

A researcher discovers a new neurotransmitter that causes an influx of chloride ions ($Cl^−$) into the postsynaptic neuron. What effect would this neurotransmitter have on the postsynaptic neuron?

Which of the following scenarios would most likely lead to an increased release of neurotransmitters at the synapse?

Consider a neuron with a resting membrane potential of -70 mV. Which change in ion permeability would result in the cell depolarizing to -60 mV?

A certain anesthetic drug functions by increasing the permeability of the neuronal membrane to chloride ions ($Cl^−$). What is the most likely mechanism of action of this drug?

A researcher applies a drug to a neuron that prevents the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels in the axon terminal. What direct effect will this drug have on synaptic transmission?

How does the myelin sheath contribute to the conduction of action potentials in neurons?

If a neuron were experimentally stimulated so that the equilibrium potential for $Na^+$ was never reached during an action potential, what would be the most likely result?

Maxillary arch innervation

Anterior superior alveolar nerve

Middle superior alveolar nerve

Posterior superior alveolar nerve

Palatal gingiva innervation

Mandibular arch innervation

Mental nerve

Buccal nerve

Types of Local Anesthetics

Soma

Dendrites

Action Potential

Axon

Myelin

Neurotransmitters

Sensory Neurons

Motor Neurons

Neuroglia

Resting State

Threshold stimuli

Depolarization

Repolarization

Hypopolarization

Hyperpolarization

Sodium-Potassium pump

Electrochemical gradient

Ion channels

Voltage-gated channels

Membrane Polarization

Rising Phase of Action Potential

Falling Phase of Action Potential

Myelination

Synaptic Cleft

Neurotransmitter Action

Types of Neurotransmitters

Receptor Binding

Resting Potential

Membrane potential

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Hindbrain