Facial trauma: mandibular fracture: 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 · Facial trauma: mandibular fracture

Sample item

After an assault, a man cannot close his teeth properly, has numbness of the lower lip and a step deformity on the lower border of the jaw. A second fracture on the opposite side is also looked for. Why?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The mandible is a ring, so a fracture is often accompanied by another elsewhere

The mandible acts as a bony ring attached at the temporomandibular joints, so a force producing a fracture often causes a second fracture, commonly at the contralateral angle or condyle. The common sites are the condyle, angle and body. Numbness of the lower lip indicates inferior alveolar nerve injury.

Option by option

  • A. The mandible is a straight rod

    The mandible forms a horseshoe ring.

  • B. Fractures are always solitary

    Multiple fractures are common.

  • C. The mandible is a ring, so a fracture is often accompanied by another elsewhere (correct)

    Correct. Ring structure means a second fracture is likely.

  • D. The temporal bone is always involved

    The temporal bone is not routinely involved.

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 C, The mandible is a ring, so a fracture is often accompanied by another elsewhere. The mandible acts as a bony ring attached at the temporomandibular joints, so a force producing a fracture often causes a second fracture, commonly at the contralateral angle or condyle.

Why is "The mandible is a straight rod" not the answer?

The mandible forms a horseshoe ring.

Why is "Fractures are always solitary" not the answer?

Multiple fractures are common.

Why is "The temporal bone is always involved" not the answer?

The temporal bone is not routinely involved.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Facial trauma: mandibular fracture in ENT. The common sites are the condyle, angle and body. Numbness of the lower lip indicates inferior alveolar nerve injury.

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 Facial trauma: mandibular fracture?

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.