Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: posterior superior alveolar block: 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 · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: posterior superior alveolar block

Sample item

A swelling over the cheek and temporal area develops rapidly while a posterior superior alveolar nerve block is given for an upper molar. Which structure was most likely punctured?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pterygoid venous plexus

The needle passes near the pterygoid plexus and the posterior superior alveolar vessels, which can bleed into the infratemporal fossa. Pressure and cold packs limit the haematoma.

Option by option

  • A. Pterygoid venous plexus (correct)

    Correct. A haematoma after this block comes from the pterygoid plexus.

  • B. Facial vein

    The facial vein lies on the face and is not near the injection site.

  • C. Superficial temporal artery

    The superficial temporal artery lies superficially and is not the route.

  • D. Inferior alveolar artery

    The inferior alveolar artery is in the mandible and is not reached by this block.

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 A, Pterygoid venous plexus. The needle passes near the pterygoid plexus and the posterior superior alveolar vessels, which can bleed into the infratemporal fossa.

Why is "Facial vein" not the answer?

The facial vein lies on the face and is not near the injection site.

Why is "Superficial temporal artery" not the answer?

The superficial temporal artery lies superficially and is not the route.

Why is "Inferior alveolar artery" not the answer?

The inferior alveolar artery is in the mandible and is not reached by this block.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: posterior superior alveolar block in Dentistry. Pressure and cold packs limit the haematoma.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: posterior superior alveolar block?

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.