Head and neck tumours: canine space abscess: 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 · Head and neck tumours: canine space abscess

Sample item

A patient with an infected maxillary tooth has facial swelling lateral to the nose that obliterates the nasolabial fold and extends towards the lower eyelid. The upper buccal sulcus bulges above the tooth. Which space is infected?

AParapharyngeal spaceBCanine spaceCBuccal spaceDMasticator space

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Canine space

The canine space lies between the levator anguli oris and levator labii superioris. An upper canine root abscess breaches the maxilla above the origin of the levator anguli oris, filling this space with swelling of the nasolabial fold and lower eyelid, and it may spread to the orbit.

Option by option

A. Parapharyngeal space
A parapharyngeal abscess displaces the tonsil medially with trismus and neck swelling.
B. Canine space (correct)
Correct. Swelling lateral to the nose with loss of the nasolabial fold from an upper canine root abscess is a canine space infection.
C. Buccal space
A buccal space abscess causes cheek swelling over the buccinator without loss of the nasolabial fold.
D. Masticator space
A masticator space abscess causes trismus and swelling over the angle of the mandible.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Canine space. The canine space lies between the levator anguli oris and levator labii superioris.

Why is "Parapharyngeal space" not the answer?

A parapharyngeal abscess displaces the tonsil medially with trismus and neck swelling.

Why is "Buccal space" not the answer?

A buccal space abscess causes cheek swelling over the buccinator without loss of the nasolabial fold.

Why is "Masticator space" not the answer?

A masticator space abscess causes trismus and swelling over the angle of the mandible.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: canine space abscess in ENT. An upper canine root abscess breaches the maxilla above the origin of the levator anguli oris, filling this space with swelling of the nasolabial fold and lower eyelid, and it may spread to the orbit.

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 Head and neck tumours: canine space abscess?

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.