Maxillofacial surgery: zygomatic complex fracture: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Maxillofacial surgery: zygomatic complex fracture

Sample item

After a punch to the cheek, a man has flattening of the cheek, subconjunctival haemorrhage, infraorbital numbness and trismus. What is the likely fracture?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Zygomaticomaxillary complex (tripod) fracture

A depressed zygoma flattens the malar prominence, damages the infraorbital nerve and can impinge on the coronoid process, restricting mouth opening. Subconjunctival haemorrhage without a posterior limit is typical.

Option by option

  • A. Isolated nasal fracture

    Nasal fractures do not cause infraorbital numbness and trismus.

  • B. Isolated mandibular angle fracture

    A mandibular angle fracture does not cause cheek flattening.

  • C. Zygomaticomaxillary complex (tripod) fracture (correct)

    Correct. This cluster is typical of a zygomatic complex fracture.

  • D. Le Fort I fracture

    Le Fort I is a horizontal fracture of the lower maxilla.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Zygomaticomaxillary complex (tripod) fracture. A depressed zygoma flattens the malar prominence, damages the infraorbital nerve and can impinge on the coronoid process, restricting mouth opening.

Why is "Isolated nasal fracture" not the answer?

Nasal fractures do not cause infraorbital numbness and trismus.

Why is "Isolated mandibular angle fracture" not the answer?

A mandibular angle fracture does not cause cheek flattening.

Why is "Le Fort I fracture" not the answer?

Le Fort I is a horizontal fracture of the lower maxilla.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maxillofacial surgery: zygomatic complex fracture in Dentistry. Subconjunctival haemorrhage without a posterior limit is typical.

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 Maxillofacial surgery: zygomatic complex fracture?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.