Maxillofacial surgery: danger area of the face: 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: danger area of the face

Sample item

A man squeezes a furuncle on his upper lip and develops fever, proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. Which route allows spread to the cavernous sinus?

AExternal jugular veinBRetromandibular vein to the internal jugular veinCFacial vein, angular vein and ophthalmic veinsDLymphatics to submandibular nodes

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Facial vein, angular vein and ophthalmic veins

Facial veins are valveless and communicate with the cavernous sinus through the angular and superior ophthalmic veins, so infection from the upper lip and nose can cause cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Option by option

A. External jugular vein
The external jugular drains superficial scalp and face and is not the route.
B. Retromandibular vein to the internal jugular vein
The retromandibular vein drains away from the cavernous sinus.
C. Facial vein, angular vein and ophthalmic veins (correct)
Correct. This valveless connection is the danger area route.
D. Lymphatics to submandibular nodes
Lymphatic spread causes regional adenitis, not sinus thrombosis.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Facial vein, angular vein and ophthalmic veins. Facial veins are valveless and communicate with the cavernous sinus through the angular and superior ophthalmic veins, so infection from the upper lip and nose can cause cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Why is "External jugular vein" not the answer?

The external jugular drains superficial scalp and face and is not the route.

Why is "Retromandibular vein to the internal jugular vein" not the answer?

The retromandibular vein drains away from the cavernous sinus.

Why is "Lymphatics to submandibular nodes" not the answer?

Lymphatic spread causes regional adenitis, not sinus thrombosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maxillofacial surgery: danger area of the face in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct. This valveless connection is the danger area route.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: danger area of the face?

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.