Non-weekend weekend

Just dinner at Noodles, a new place near campus with my best girlfriends. But I guess that will probably be my only break this weekend because I have STUPID DYSPHAGIA exam on Monday!!! My professor just sent us some "sample questions":

1. To explain the Joker's facial appearance in Batman in 1989, the Joker (played by Jack Nicolson) is dropped into a vat of acid by Batman. He is told that his face can't be helped as all of the nerves have been severed. Yet he still smiles.

a. Why is that anatomically incorrect?
b. What cranial nerve(s) could have been damaged by the acid?
c. What outcome would that damage have on his face?
d. How would it affect his swallow?


2. To explain the Joker's facial appearance in the 2008 version, the Joker (played by Heath Ledger) says the corners of his mouth were cut, into his cheeks. He doesn't smile and has a particularly "loose" mouth closure.

a. Why is that anatomically realistic?
b. What cranial nerve(s) would be affected?
c. What functions would be impaired?
d. What functions would be intact?
e. What phase(s) of the swallow would be impaired?
f. What specific swallowing problems would you expect him to have?

Ok, I just thought I'd share it with you guys since its pretty funny. ;) ONLY swallowing professors would watch a Batman movie and think of things like that! (Just like how only speech students would watch the Olympics and think Michael Phelps has an articulation disorder)