Ear and audiology: embryology of the pinna: 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 · Ear and audiology: embryology of the pinna

Sample item

The auricle develops from the fusion of six hillocks around the first pharyngeal groove. From which arches do these hillocks arise?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Three from the first arch and three from the second arch

The hillocks of His arise from the first (mandibular) arch, which forms the tragus and parts of the helix root, and the second (hyoid) arch, which forms the rest of the helix, antihelix and lobule. Maldevelopment or fusion defects cause preauricular tags and sinuses. The ear moves up from the neck to its normal level during development.

Option by option

  • A. Three from the first arch and three from the second arch (correct)

    Correct. The first and second arches contribute three hillocks each.

  • B. All six from the second arch

    The first arch also contributes.

  • C. All six from the first arch

    The second arch also contributes.

  • D. Three from the second arch and three from the third arch

    The third arch does not contribute to the auricle.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Three from the first arch and three from the second arch. The hillocks of His arise from the first (mandibular) arch, which forms the tragus and parts of the helix root, and the second (hyoid) arch, which forms the rest of the helix, antihelix and lobule.

Why is "All six from the second arch" not the answer?

The first arch also contributes.

Why is "All six from the first arch" not the answer?

The second arch also contributes.

Why is "Three from the second arch and three from the third arch" not the answer?

The third arch does not contribute to the auricle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: embryology of the pinna in ENT. Maldevelopment or fusion defects cause preauricular tags and sinuses. The ear moves up from the neck to its normal level during development.

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 Ear and audiology: embryology of the pinna?

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.