Oral and maxillofacial surgery: CSF rhinorrhoea in midface fracture: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery: CSF rhinorrhoea in midface fracture

Sample item

After a road traffic accident, a man with a mobile midface and bilateral periorbital bruising has clear fluid dripping from his nose that forms a halo on the tissue. Which structure is likely breached?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cribriform plate of the ethmoid

Le Fort II and III fractures can tear the dura at the cribriform plate and cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage into the nose. The halo or ring sign and beta-2 transferrin confirm CSF.

Option by option

  • A. Mandibular fossa

    The mandibular fossa is part of the temporal bone joint and is not linked to rhinorrhoea.

  • B. Palatine process of the maxilla

    The palatine process forms the hard palate and does not communicate with the subarachnoid space.

  • C. Foramen rotundum

    Foramen rotundum transmits the maxillary nerve and is not a CSF pathway.

  • D. Cribriform plate of the ethmoid (correct)

    Correct. A cribriform plate tear leaks CSF into the nasal cavity.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Cribriform plate of the ethmoid. Le Fort II and III fractures can tear the dura at the cribriform plate and cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage into the nose.

Why is "Mandibular fossa" not the answer?

The mandibular fossa is part of the temporal bone joint and is not linked to rhinorrhoea.

Why is "Palatine process of the maxilla" not the answer?

The palatine process forms the hard palate and does not communicate with the subarachnoid space.

Why is "Foramen rotundum" not the answer?

Foramen rotundum transmits the maxillary nerve and is not a CSF pathway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery: CSF rhinorrhoea in midface fracture in Dentistry. The halo or ring sign and beta-2 transferrin confirm CSF.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral and maxillofacial surgery: CSF rhinorrhoea in midface fracture?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.