Sinuses: drainage pathways: 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: drainage pathways

Sample item

Which sinus does not drain through the ostiomeatal complex?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Sphenoid sinus

The frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses drain into the middle meatus. The posterior ethmoid cells drain into the superior meatus and the sphenoid sinus into the sphenoethmoidal recess.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior ethmoid cells

    The anterior ethmoid drains into the middle meatus.

  • B. Maxillary sinus

    The maxillary sinus drains via the infundibulum into the middle meatus.

  • C. Sphenoid sinus (correct)

    Correct. The sphenoid drains into the sphenoethmoidal recess.

  • D. Frontal sinus

    The frontal sinus drains via the frontonasal duct into the middle meatus.

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 C, Sphenoid sinus. The frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses drain into the middle meatus.

Why is "Anterior ethmoid cells" not the answer?

The anterior ethmoid drains into the middle meatus.

Why is "Maxillary sinus" not the answer?

The maxillary sinus drains via the infundibulum into the middle meatus.

Why is "Frontal sinus" not the answer?

The frontal sinus drains via the frontonasal duct into the middle meatus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sinuses: drainage pathways in ENT. The posterior ethmoid cells drain into the superior meatus and the sphenoid sinus into the sphenoethmoidal recess.

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: drainage pathways?

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.