Salivary glands: facial nerve plane in the parotid: 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 · Salivary glands: facial nerve plane in the parotid

Sample item

During superficial parotidectomy, the surgeon identifies the retromandibular vein lying in the parotid substance. What is the relation of this vein to the facial nerve?

AThe vein crosses only the deep lobeBThe vein is far medial to the nerve and the glandCThe vein lies superficial to the nerveDThe vein lies deep to the facial nerve branches

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. The vein lies deep to the facial nerve branches

The facial nerve divides the parotid into superficial and deep lobes, and the retromandibular vein and external carotid artery lie deep to the nerve. The vein is therefore an anatomical guide to the nerve plane. The nerve is generally found by tracing the main trunk from the stylomastoid foramen.

Option by option

A. The vein crosses only the deep lobe
The vein lies in the plane of the gland.
B. The vein is far medial to the nerve and the gland
The vein runs within the gland.
C. The vein lies superficial to the nerve
The nerve is the most superficial structure.
D. The vein lies deep to the facial nerve branches (correct)
Correct. The vein and artery are deeper than the nerve.

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.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, The vein lies deep to the facial nerve branches. The facial nerve divides the parotid into superficial and deep lobes, and the retromandibular vein and external carotid artery lie deep to the nerve.

Why is "The vein crosses only the deep lobe" not the answer?

The vein lies in the plane of the gland.

Why is "The vein is far medial to the nerve and the gland" not the answer?

The vein runs within the gland.

Why is "The vein lies superficial to the nerve" not the answer?

The nerve is the most superficial structure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: facial nerve plane in the parotid in ENT. The vein is therefore an anatomical guide to the nerve plane. The nerve is generally found by tracing the main trunk from the stylomastoid foramen.

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 Salivary glands: facial nerve plane in the parotid?

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.