Neck: fascial spaces: 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.

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Anatomy · Neck: fascial spaces

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has fever, drooling, neck stiffness and widening of the prevertebral soft tissue on a lateral neck radiograph, consistent with a retropharyngeal abscess. If untreated, where can the pus spread downwards?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Posterior mediastinum

The retropharyngeal space lies between the buccopharyngeal fascia and the prevertebral fascia and extends from the skull base towards the posterior mediastinum, which pus can reach directly or through the adjoining danger space, causing mediastinitis. The anterior mediastinum is reached through the pretracheal space.

Option by option

  • A. Axillary sheath

    The axillary sheath is an extension of the prevertebral fascia and is not part of the retropharyngeal space.

  • B. Posterior mediastinum (correct)

    Correct. The retropharyngeal space is continuous with the posterior mediastinum.

  • C. Cavernous sinus

    The cavernous sinus is reached through venous communications from the face, not by this fascial route.

  • D. Anterior mediastinum

    The pretracheal space leads to the anterior mediastinum.

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 B, Posterior mediastinum. The retropharyngeal space lies between the buccopharyngeal fascia and the prevertebral fascia and extends from the skull base towards the posterior mediastinum, which pus can reach directly or through the adjoining danger space, causing mediastinitis.

Why is "Axillary sheath" not the answer?

The axillary sheath is an extension of the prevertebral fascia and is not part of the retropharyngeal space.

Why is "Cavernous sinus" not the answer?

The cavernous sinus is reached through venous communications from the face, not by this fascial route.

Why is "Anterior mediastinum" not the answer?

The pretracheal space leads to the anterior mediastinum.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck: fascial spaces in Anatomy. The anterior mediastinum is reached through the pretracheal space.

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: fascial spaces?

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.