Neck: second branchial fistula: practice question

A Anatomy 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.

Try it

Anatomy · Neck: second branchial fistula

Sample item

A 4-year-old child has a small skin opening along the lower third of the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid that discharges mucus. A complete track from this opening passes between the internal and external carotid arteries. Where does its internal opening lie?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Tonsillar fossa

A second branchial fistula arises from persistence of the cervical sinus and the second pouch, with an external opening at the anterior border of sternocleidomastoid and an internal opening in the tonsillar fossa. The track ascends through the carotid sheath region and passes between the internal and external carotid arteries. It is excised through a series of stepladder incisions.

Option by option

  • A. Tonsillar fossa (correct)

    Correct. The second pouch forms the tonsillar fossa, the internal opening of the fistula.

  • B. Piriform fossa

    A fourth pouch fistula opens in the piriform fossa.

  • C. Foramen caecum

    The foramen caecum is the origin of the thyroglossal duct.

  • D. External acoustic meatus

    A first branchial fistula is related to the external acoustic meatus.

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 Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Tonsillar fossa. A second branchial fistula arises from persistence of the cervical sinus and the second pouch, with an external opening at the anterior border of sternocleidomastoid and an internal opening in the tonsillar fossa.

Why is "Piriform fossa" not the answer?

A fourth pouch fistula opens in the piriform fossa.

Why is "Foramen caecum" not the answer?

The foramen caecum is the origin of the thyroglossal duct.

Why is "External acoustic meatus" not the answer?

A first branchial fistula is related to the external acoustic meatus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck: second branchial fistula in Anatomy. The track ascends through the carotid sheath region and passes between the internal and external carotid arteries. It is excised through a series of stepladder incisions.

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 Neck: second branchial fistula?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy 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.