Head and neck: lingula of the mandible: 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 · Head and neck: lingula of the mandible

Sample item

A dentist injects local anaesthetic near the mandibular foramen to block the inferior alveolar nerve. The bony lingula that guards this foramen gives attachment to which ligament?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Sphenomandibular ligament

The lingula is a small bony projection on the medial surface of the ramus beside the mandibular foramen, and it gives attachment to the sphenomandibular ligament. This ligament runs from the spine of the sphenoid. The stylomandibular ligament attaches near the angle.

Option by option

  • A. Lateral temporomandibular ligament

    The lateral temporomandibular ligament runs from the zygomatic arch to the neck of the mandible.

  • B. Pterygomandibular raphe

    The pterygomandibular raphe joins buccinator to the superior constrictor and does not attach to the lingula.

  • C. Sphenomandibular ligament (correct)

    Correct. The sphenomandibular ligament attaches to the lingula.

  • D. Stylomandibular ligament

    The stylomandibular ligament passes from the styloid process to the angle of the mandible.

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 C, Sphenomandibular ligament. The lingula is a small bony projection on the medial surface of the ramus beside the mandibular foramen, and it gives attachment to the sphenomandibular ligament.

Why is "Lateral temporomandibular ligament" not the answer?

The lateral temporomandibular ligament runs from the zygomatic arch to the neck of the mandible.

Why is "Pterygomandibular raphe" not the answer?

The pterygomandibular raphe joins buccinator to the superior constrictor and does not attach to the lingula.

Why is "Stylomandibular ligament" not the answer?

The stylomandibular ligament passes from the styloid process to the angle of the mandible.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: lingula of the mandible in Anatomy. This ligament runs from the spine of the sphenoid. The stylomandibular ligament attaches near the angle.

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 Head and neck: lingula of the mandible?

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.