Nose: ethmoidal artery bleeding: 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: ethmoidal artery bleeding

Sample item

A patient bleeds persistently from high in the nose above the middle turbinate after head trauma, and endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation has failed. Which vessels are likely responsible and what is the next step?

ASuperior labial artery, managed by pressureBAnterior or posterior ethmoidal arteries, managed by ligation or clippingCGreater palatine artery, managed by gum packingDFacial artery, managed by external carotid ligation only

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Anterior or posterior ethmoidal arteries, managed by ligation or clipping

The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries from the ophthalmic artery supply the upper septum and lateral wall, and they bleed after trauma or surgery. They are controlled by endoscopic or external (Lynch incision) ligation or clipping, and embolisation is avoided because these branches arise from the ophthalmic artery.

Option by option

A. Superior labial artery, managed by pressure
The superior labial artery supplies the vestibule.
B. Anterior or posterior ethmoidal arteries, managed by ligation or clipping (correct)
Correct. Ethmoidal arteries supply the roof of the nose and are ligated.
C. Greater palatine artery, managed by gum packing
The greater palatine artery supplies the floor and anterior septum.
D. Facial artery, managed by external carotid ligation only
External carotid ligation is not the targeted option for this territory.

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 B, Anterior or posterior ethmoidal arteries, managed by ligation or clipping. The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries from the ophthalmic artery supply the upper septum and lateral wall, and they bleed after trauma or surgery.

Why is "Superior labial artery, managed by pressure" not the answer?

The superior labial artery supplies the vestibule.

Why is "Greater palatine artery, managed by gum packing" not the answer?

The greater palatine artery supplies the floor and anterior septum.

Why is "Facial artery, managed by external carotid ligation only" not the answer?

External carotid ligation is not the targeted option for this territory.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: ethmoidal artery bleeding in ENT. They are controlled by endoscopic or external (Lynch incision) ligation or clipping, and embolisation is avoided because these branches arise from the ophthalmic artery.

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: ethmoidal artery bleeding?

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.