Nose and paranasal sinuses: periodicity of sinus headache: 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 · Nose and paranasal sinuses: periodicity of sinus headache

Sample item

A patient's headache starts on waking in the morning, is felt over the forehead and eases through the afternoon. Which sinus is most likely involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Frontal sinus

Frontal sinus pain typically peaks in the morning after overnight accumulation and subsides as the secretions drain during the day. Maxillary sinus pain tends to worsen in the afternoon. Ethmoid pain is felt at the medial canthus and is not periodic.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior ethmoid sinus

    Ethmoid pain lies between the eyes.

  • B. Sphenoid sinus

    Sphenoid pain is deep and at the vertex or occiput.

  • C. Frontal sinus (correct)

    Correct. Morning forehead pain is classically frontal.

  • D. Maxillary sinus

    Maxillary pain is felt in the cheek and peaks later.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Frontal sinus. Frontal sinus pain typically peaks in the morning after overnight accumulation and subsides as the secretions drain during the day.

Why is "Anterior ethmoid sinus" not the answer?

Ethmoid pain lies between the eyes.

Why is "Sphenoid sinus" not the answer?

Sphenoid pain is deep and at the vertex or occiput.

Why is "Maxillary sinus" not the answer?

Maxillary pain is felt in the cheek and peaks later.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: periodicity of sinus headache in ENT. Maxillary sinus pain tends to worsen in the afternoon. Ethmoid pain is felt at the medial canthus and is not periodic.

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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: periodicity of sinus headache?

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.