Head and neck: epiglottic vallecula: 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: epiglottic vallecula

Sample item

During direct laryngoscopy with a curved blade, the anaesthetist places the tip in a mucosal recess between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis and lifts, which indirectly raises the epiglottis. Which recess is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Epiglottic vallecula

The valleculae are paired depressions between the median and lateral glossoepiglottic folds, in front of the epiglottis. Pressure from the blade tip tenses the hyoepiglottic ligament and lifts the epiglottis, exposing the glottis. A straight blade lifts the epiglottis directly.

Option by option

  • A. Epiglottic vallecula (correct)

    Correct. The vallecula is the recess in front of the epiglottis used with the curved blade.

  • B. Laryngeal ventricle

    The laryngeal ventricle lies between the vestibular and vocal folds, inside the larynx.

  • C. Laryngeal vestibule

    The laryngeal vestibule is the part of the cavity above the vestibular folds, not a recess in front of the epiglottis.

  • D. Piriform fossa

    The piriform fossa lies on each side of the larynx and is a site for lodged foreign bodies.

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 A, Epiglottic vallecula. The valleculae are paired depressions between the median and lateral glossoepiglottic folds, in front of the epiglottis.

Why is "Laryngeal ventricle" not the answer?

The laryngeal ventricle lies between the vestibular and vocal folds, inside the larynx.

Why is "Laryngeal vestibule" not the answer?

The laryngeal vestibule is the part of the cavity above the vestibular folds, not a recess in front of the epiglottis.

Why is "Piriform fossa" not the answer?

The piriform fossa lies on each side of the larynx and is a site for lodged foreign bodies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: epiglottic vallecula in Anatomy. Pressure from the blade tip tenses the hyoepiglottic ligament and lifts the epiglottis, exposing the glottis. A straight blade lifts the epiglottis directly.

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: epiglottic vallecula?

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.