Oral cavity: nodal levels in tongue cancer: 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 · Oral cavity: nodal levels in tongue cancer

Sample item

In carcinoma of the oral tongue, which cervical lymph node levels are most commonly involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Levels I to III

The oral cavity drains primarily to levels I, II and III, so selective neck dissection of levels I to III or IV is used for elective management. Skip metastasis to level IV can occur in tongue cancer.

Option by option

  • A. Level V only

    Level V is rarely the first site.

  • B. Level VI only

    Level VI drains the thyroid and subglottic larynx.

  • C. Levels I to III (correct)

    Correct. Levels I to III are the primary echelon.

  • D. Retropharyngeal nodes only

    Retropharyngeal nodes drain the nasopharynx.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Levels I to III. The oral cavity drains primarily to levels I, II and III, so selective neck dissection of levels I to III or IV is used for elective management.

Why is "Level V only" not the answer?

Level V is rarely the first site.

Why is "Level VI only" not the answer?

Level VI drains the thyroid and subglottic larynx.

Why is "Retropharyngeal nodes only" not the answer?

Retropharyngeal nodes drain the nasopharynx.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral cavity: nodal levels in tongue cancer in ENT. Skip metastasis to level IV can occur in tongue cancer.

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 cavity: nodal levels in tongue cancer?

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.