Nose and paranasal sinuses: mucociliary clearance: 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: mucociliary clearance

Sample item

In which direction do cilia in the paranasal sinuses move mucus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Towards the natural ostium, in a spiral pattern

Cilia in each sinus beat in a stellate or spiral pattern towards the natural ostium, even against gravity, as in the maxillary sinus where the ostium lies high. This is why an inferior antrostomy alone does not drain the sinus. Nasal mucus then flows to the nasopharynx.

Option by option

  • A. Towards the natural ostium, in a spiral pattern (correct)

    Correct. Clearance is towards the natural ostium.

  • B. Only towards the nasopharynx, ignoring the ostium

    Sinus mucus first moves to the ostium.

  • C. Randomly with gravity

    Cilia beat in organised patterns, not randomly.

  • D. Away from the ostium to the sinus floor

    This would pool secretions.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Towards the natural ostium, in a spiral pattern. Cilia in each sinus beat in a stellate or spiral pattern towards the natural ostium, even against gravity, as in the maxillary sinus where the ostium lies high.

Why is "Only towards the nasopharynx, ignoring the ostium" not the answer?

Sinus mucus first moves to the ostium.

Why is "Randomly with gravity" not the answer?

Cilia beat in organised patterns, not randomly.

Why is "Away from the ostium to the sinus floor" not the answer?

This would pool secretions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: mucociliary clearance in ENT. This is why an inferior antrostomy alone does not drain the sinus. Nasal mucus then flows to the nasopharynx.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: mucociliary clearance?

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.