Head and neck: paratonsillar vein: 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: paratonsillar vein

Sample item

A child has brisk haemorrhage after tonsillectomy, from a vein descending from the soft palate and crossing the lateral wall of the tonsillar fossa. Which vein is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Paratonsillar vein

The paratonsillar (external palatine) vein descends from the soft palate beside the tonsil and pierces the pharyngeal wall to enter the pharyngeal plexus and facial vein. It lies close to the capsule and is a common source of bleeding after tonsillectomy.

Option by option

  • A. Retromandibular vein

    The retromandibular vein lies within the parotid gland, away from the tonsil.

  • B. Lingual vein

    The lingual vein drains the tongue and is not related to the tonsil capsule.

  • C. Paratonsillar vein (correct)

    Correct. It lies against the tonsil capsule and is a common bleeding source.

  • D. Facial vein

    The facial vein runs on the face and neck and is not within the tonsillar fossa.

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 C, Paratonsillar vein. The paratonsillar (external palatine) vein descends from the soft palate beside the tonsil and pierces the pharyngeal wall to enter the pharyngeal plexus and facial vein.

Why is "Retromandibular vein" not the answer?

The retromandibular vein lies within the parotid gland, away from the tonsil.

Why is "Lingual vein" not the answer?

The lingual vein drains the tongue and is not related to the tonsil capsule.

Why is "Facial vein" not the answer?

The facial vein runs on the face and neck and is not within the tonsillar fossa.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: paratonsillar vein in Anatomy. It lies close to the capsule and is a common source of bleeding after tonsillectomy.

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: paratonsillar vein?

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.