Sinuses: orbital complications: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Sinuses: orbital complications

Sample item

A child with acute ethmoiditis develops eyelid swelling, proptosis, chemosis and painful limitation of eye movements. Through which structure does infection reach the orbit?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lamina papyracea

The lamina papyracea is a very thin bone separating the ethmoid cells from the orbit, and infection spreads directly or through valveless veins. Orbital cellulitis requires hospital admission, IV antibiotics and imaging to exclude abscess.

Option by option

  • A. Fovea ethmoidalis

    The fovea ethmoidalis forms the ethmoid roof.

  • B. Cribriform plate

    The cribriform plate lies between the nose and anterior cranial fossa.

  • C. Pterygoid plate

    The pterygoid plate is unrelated.

  • D. Lamina papyracea (correct)

    Correct. The thin lamina papyracea allows spread to the orbit.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Lamina papyracea. The lamina papyracea is a very thin bone separating the ethmoid cells from the orbit, and infection spreads directly or through valveless veins.

Why is "Fovea ethmoidalis" not the answer?

The fovea ethmoidalis forms the ethmoid roof.

Why is "Cribriform plate" not the answer?

The cribriform plate lies between the nose and anterior cranial fossa.

Why is "Pterygoid plate" not the answer?

The pterygoid plate is unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sinuses: orbital complications in ENT. Orbital cellulitis requires hospital admission, IV antibiotics and imaging to exclude abscess.

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 Sinuses: orbital complications?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.