Pharynx and tonsils: temporomandibular joint dysfunction: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Sample item

A 28-year-old woman has preauricular pain, clicking and limited mouth opening that worsens with chewing, with a normal ear examination. Which diagnosis explains the referred ear pain?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction causes pain in front of the ear, clicking, deviation on opening and referred otalgia through the auriculotemporal nerve. The ear is normal on examination. Treatment is jaw rest, soft diet, analgesics, bite splints and physiotherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Acute otitis media

    Otitis media shows an abnormal drum.

  • B. Glomus tumour

    A glomus tumour gives pulsatile tinnitus.

  • C. Otitis externa

    Otitis externa gives tragal tenderness and canal changes.

  • D. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (correct)

    Correct. Pain on chewing with a normal ear points to the TMJ.

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 D, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction causes pain in front of the ear, clicking, deviation on opening and referred otalgia through the auriculotemporal nerve.

Why is "Acute otitis media" not the answer?

Otitis media shows an abnormal drum.

Why is "Glomus tumour" not the answer?

A glomus tumour gives pulsatile tinnitus.

Why is "Otitis externa" not the answer?

Otitis externa gives tragal tenderness and canal changes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: temporomandibular joint dysfunction in ENT. The ear is normal on examination. Treatment is jaw rest, soft diet, analgesics, bite splints and physiotherapy.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: temporomandibular joint dysfunction?

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.