Salivary glands: parotidectomy anatomy: practice question

A General Surgery 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.

Try it

General Surgery · Salivary glands: parotidectomy anatomy

Sample item

During superficial parotidectomy, which structure divides the parotid into superficial and deep parts?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Facial nerve and its branches

The facial nerve enters the gland and branches within it, forming a plane that surgically separates the superficial and deep lobes. The tragal pointer and the posterior belly of digastric are landmarks for identifying the main trunk. Nerve monitoring helps preservation.

Option by option

  • A. Facial nerve and its branches (correct)

    Correct. The facial nerve defines the surgical plane.

  • B. Retromandibular vein only

    The retromandibular vein lies deep to the nerve but does not define the plane.

  • C. Masseter muscle

    The masseter is a relation, not a divider.

  • D. External carotid artery

    The external carotid artery lies deep in the gland.

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 General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Facial nerve and its branches. The facial nerve enters the gland and branches within it, forming a plane that surgically separates the superficial and deep lobes.

Why is "Retromandibular vein only" not the answer?

The retromandibular vein lies deep to the nerve but does not define the plane.

Why is "Masseter muscle" not the answer?

The masseter is a relation, not a divider.

Why is "External carotid artery" not the answer?

The external carotid artery lies deep in the gland.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands: parotidectomy anatomy in General Surgery. The tragal pointer and the posterior belly of digastric are landmarks for identifying the main trunk. Nerve monitoring helps preservation.

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 Salivary glands: parotidectomy anatomy?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.