Airway: tracheostomy anatomy: 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 · Airway: tracheostomy anatomy

Sample item

During a tracheostomy, which structure lies over the second to fourth tracheal rings and must be divided or retracted?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Isthmus of the thyroid gland

The thyroid isthmus overlies the second to fourth rings and is divided or retracted. The inferior thyroid veins and thyroidea ima artery may also be encountered, but the carotid lies laterally.

Option by option

  • A. Thymus in all patients

    The thymus lies lower, mainly in children.

  • B. Isthmus of the thyroid gland (correct)

    Correct. The thyroid isthmus lies over these rings.

  • C. Common carotid artery

    The carotid artery lies lateral to the trachea.

  • D. Inferior thyroid artery

    The inferior thyroid artery lies laterally.

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 B, Isthmus of the thyroid gland. The thyroid isthmus overlies the second to fourth rings and is divided or retracted.

Why is "Thymus in all patients" not the answer?

The thymus lies lower, mainly in children.

Why is "Common carotid artery" not the answer?

The carotid artery lies lateral to the trachea.

Why is "Inferior thyroid artery" not the answer?

The inferior thyroid artery lies laterally.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway: tracheostomy anatomy in ENT. The inferior thyroid veins and thyroidea ima artery may also be encountered, but the carotid lies laterally.

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 Airway: tracheostomy anatomy?

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.