Head and neck: maxillary sinus and teeth: 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 · Head and neck: maxillary sinus and teeth

Sample item

After extraction of an upper first molar, fluid taken in through the mouth escapes through the nose and a probe passes freely into the sinus. Which anatomical relationship explains this?

AThe ethmoidal air cells open onto the alveolar processBRoots of the upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floorCThe sphenoid sinus lies directly behind the upper molarsDThe frontal sinus floor lies directly above the upper molars

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Roots of the upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floor

The floor of the maxillary sinus lies adjacent to the roots of the upper premolar and molar teeth, sometimes separated by only a thin plate of bone. Extraction can therefore create an oroantral communication, so fluid can pass between the mouth and the nose.

Option by option

A. The ethmoidal air cells open onto the alveolar process
The ethmoidal air cells lie between the nose and orbit and have no opening onto the alveolar process.
B. Roots of the upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floor (correct)
Correct. The root tips of the upper molars lie close to the floor of the maxillary sinus.
C. The sphenoid sinus lies directly behind the upper molars
The sphenoid sinus lies deep in the skull base behind the nasal cavity.
D. The frontal sinus floor lies directly above the upper molars
The frontal sinus lies in the forehead and has no relationship with the upper teeth.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Roots of the upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floor. The floor of the maxillary sinus lies adjacent to the roots of the upper premolar and molar teeth, sometimes separated by only a thin plate of bone.

Why is "The ethmoidal air cells open onto the alveolar process" not the answer?

The ethmoidal air cells lie between the nose and orbit and have no opening onto the alveolar process.

Why is "The sphenoid sinus lies directly behind the upper molars" not the answer?

The sphenoid sinus lies deep in the skull base behind the nasal cavity.

Why is "The frontal sinus floor lies directly above the upper molars" not the answer?

The frontal sinus lies in the forehead and has no relationship with the upper teeth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: maxillary sinus and teeth in Anatomy. Extraction can therefore create an oroantral communication, so fluid can pass between the mouth and the nose.

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: maxillary sinus and teeth?

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.