Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: displacement in condylar fractures: 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: displacement in condylar fractures

Sample item

In a fracture of the condylar neck, the condylar head is usually pulled anteriorly and medially out of the glenoid fossa. Which muscle is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lateral pterygoid

The lateral pterygoid inserts into the pterygoid fovea of the condylar neck and the articular disc. Its pull displaces the fractured head forwards and medially, while the elevators shorten the ramus.

Option by option

  • A. Temporalis

    The temporalis inserts on the coronoid process.

  • B. Masseter

    The masseter inserts into the lateral ramus and angle and elevates the mandible.

  • C. Lateral pterygoid (correct)

    Correct. The lateral pterygoid pulls the head anteromedially.

  • D. Medial pterygoid

    The medial pterygoid inserts on the medial surface of the angle.

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 C, Lateral pterygoid. The lateral pterygoid inserts into the pterygoid fovea of the condylar neck and the articular disc.

Why is "Temporalis" not the answer?

The temporalis inserts on the coronoid process.

Why is "Masseter" not the answer?

The masseter inserts into the lateral ramus and angle and elevates the mandible.

Why is "Medial pterygoid" not the answer?

The medial pterygoid inserts on the medial surface of the angle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: displacement in condylar fractures in Dentistry. Its pull displaces the fractured head forwards and medially, while the elevators shorten the ramus.

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: displacement in condylar fractures?

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.