Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: submasseteric space infection: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: submasseteric space infection

Sample item

After pericoronitis of a lower third molar, a patient has severe trismus and swelling over the ramus and angle of the mandible, with little intraoral swelling. Which space is likely involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Submasseteric space

The submasseteric space lies between the masseter and the lateral surface of the ramus. Infection from a lower third molar causes marked trismus and swelling over the ramus, and surgical drainage is needed.

Option by option

  • A. Submasseteric space (correct)

    Correct. Swelling over the ramus with severe trismus indicates the submasseteric space.

  • B. Submandibular space

    Submandibular space infection swells below the lower border of the mandible.

  • C. Sublingual space

    Sublingual space infection raises the floor of the mouth.

  • D. Pterygomandibular space

    Pterygomandibular space infection gives trismus but little external swelling.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Submasseteric space. The submasseteric space lies between the masseter and the lateral surface of the ramus.

Why is "Submandibular space" not the answer?

Submandibular space infection swells below the lower border of the mandible.

Why is "Sublingual space" not the answer?

Sublingual space infection raises the floor of the mouth.

Why is "Pterygomandibular space" not the answer?

Pterygomandibular space infection gives trismus but little external swelling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: submasseteric space infection in Dentistry. Infection from a lower third molar causes marked trismus and swelling over the ramus, and surgical drainage is needed.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: submasseteric space infection?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.