Nose and paranasal sinuses: contents of pterygopalatine fossa: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Nose and paranasal sinuses: contents of pterygopalatine fossa

Sample item

A surgeon expects to see the terminal part of the maxillary artery and a parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa. Which ganglion is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion

The pterygopalatine fossa contains the third part of the maxillary artery, the maxillary nerve and the sphenopalatine ganglion, which relays parasympathetic fibres from the greater petrosal nerve to the lacrimal and nasal glands. It communicates with the nose through the sphenopalatine foramen. Surgery for posterior epistaxis targets the artery here.

Option by option

  • A. Ciliary ganglion

    The ciliary ganglion is in the orbit.

  • B. Submandibular ganglion

    The submandibular ganglion hangs from the lingual nerve.

  • C. Sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion (correct)

    Correct. This ganglion sits in the fossa.

  • D. Otic ganglion

    The otic ganglion lies below the foramen ovale and supplies the parotid.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion. The pterygopalatine fossa contains the third part of the maxillary artery, the maxillary nerve and the sphenopalatine ganglion, which relays parasympathetic fibres from the greater petrosal nerve to the lacrimal and nasal glands.

Why is "Ciliary ganglion" not the answer?

The ciliary ganglion is in the orbit.

Why is "Submandibular ganglion" not the answer?

The submandibular ganglion hangs from the lingual nerve.

Why is "Otic ganglion" not the answer?

The otic ganglion lies below the foramen ovale and supplies the parotid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: contents of pterygopalatine fossa in ENT. It communicates with the nose through the sphenopalatine foramen. Surgery for posterior epistaxis targets the artery here.

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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: contents of pterygopalatine fossa?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.