Head and neck tumours: tragal pointer landmark: 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 · Head and neck tumours: tragal pointer landmark

Sample item

During superficial parotidectomy, which landmark helps to locate the main trunk of the facial nerve at its exit from the stylomastoid foramen?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tragal pointer

The cartilaginous tragal pointer points toward the facial nerve trunk, which lies about 1 cm deep and slightly inferior to it. Other landmarks are the posterior belly of the digastric, the tympanomastoid suture and the styloid process. Retrograde dissection from a peripheral branch is used when the trunk is hard to find.

Option by option

  • A. Angle of the mandible

    The angle of the mandible does not indicate the nerve trunk.

  • B. Greater cornu of the hyoid

    The hyoid is far below the surgical field of the parotid.

  • C. Root of the zygomatic arch

    The zygomatic arch root is a landmark for the temporal branch region, not the stylomastoid exit.

  • D. Tragal pointer (correct)

    Correct. The pointer of the tragus directs the surgeon to the nerve trunk.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Tragal pointer. The cartilaginous tragal pointer points toward the facial nerve trunk, which lies about 1 cm deep and slightly inferior to it.

Why is "Angle of the mandible" not the answer?

The angle of the mandible does not indicate the nerve trunk.

Why is "Greater cornu of the hyoid" not the answer?

The hyoid is far below the surgical field of the parotid.

Why is "Root of the zygomatic arch" not the answer?

The zygomatic arch root is a landmark for the temporal branch region, not the stylomastoid exit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: tragal pointer landmark in ENT. Other landmarks are the posterior belly of the digastric, the tympanomastoid suture and the styloid process. Retrograde dissection from a peripheral branch is used when the trunk is hard to find.

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 tumours: tragal pointer landmark?

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.