Head and neck: gaps in the pharyngeal wall: 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: gaps in the pharyngeal wall

Sample item

Which of the following structures passes through the gap between the base of the skull and the upper border of the superior constrictor muscle?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube

The auditory tube, levator veli palatini and the ascending palatine artery pass through the gap above the superior constrictor (sinus of Morgagni). The stylopharyngeus and glossopharyngeal nerve pass between the superior and middle constrictors. The internal laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane, and the recurrent nerve enters under the inferior constrictor.

Option by option

  • A. Internal laryngeal nerve

    The internal laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane above the middle and inferior constrictors.

  • B. Pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube (correct)

    Correct. The auditory tube passes through the gap above the superior constrictor.

  • C. Stylopharyngeus muscle

    Stylopharyngeus, with the glossopharyngeal nerve, enters between the superior and middle constrictors.

  • D. Recurrent laryngeal nerve

    The recurrent laryngeal nerve enters the larynx below the lower border of the inferior constrictor.

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.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube. The auditory tube, levator veli palatini and the ascending palatine artery pass through the gap above the superior constrictor (sinus of Morgagni).

Why is "Internal laryngeal nerve" not the answer?

The internal laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane above the middle and inferior constrictors.

Why is "Stylopharyngeus muscle" not the answer?

Stylopharyngeus, with the glossopharyngeal nerve, enters between the superior and middle constrictors.

Why is "Recurrent laryngeal nerve" not the answer?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve enters the larynx below the lower border of the inferior constrictor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: gaps in the pharyngeal wall in Anatomy. The stylopharyngeus and glossopharyngeal nerve pass between the superior and middle constrictors. The internal laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane, and the recurrent nerve enters under the inferior constrictor.

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 Head and neck: gaps in the pharyngeal wall?

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.