Oral cavity: retromolar trigone carcinoma: 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 · Oral cavity: retromolar trigone carcinoma

Sample item

A 50-year-old tobacco chewer has a painful ulcer behind the last lower molar with trismus. What is the site, and which structure is likely invaded to cause trismus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Retromolar trigone; pterygoid muscles

The retromolar trigone is the mucosa behind the last molar over the ascending ramus of the mandible. Cancers here spread to the pterygoid muscles, anterior tonsillar pillar and mandible, causing trismus and pain. They behave aggressively and need combined treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Hard palate; palatine nerve

    The hard palate is unrelated to the molar area.

  • B. Retromolar trigone; pterygoid muscles (correct)

    Correct. Pterygoid invasion causes trismus.

  • C. Buccal mucosa; buccinator only

    Buccinator involvement alone does not usually cause severe trismus.

  • D. Floor of mouth; genioglossus

    The floor of mouth is anterior and does not cause this pattern.

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 B, Retromolar trigone; pterygoid muscles. The retromolar trigone is the mucosa behind the last molar over the ascending ramus of the mandible.

Why is "Hard palate; palatine nerve" not the answer?

The hard palate is unrelated to the molar area.

Why is "Buccal mucosa; buccinator only" not the answer?

Buccinator involvement alone does not usually cause severe trismus.

Why is "Floor of mouth; genioglossus" not the answer?

The floor of mouth is anterior and does not cause this pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral cavity: retromolar trigone carcinoma in ENT. Cancers here spread to the pterygoid muscles, anterior tonsillar pillar and mandible, causing trismus and pain. They behave aggressively and need combined treatment.

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 Oral cavity: retromolar trigone carcinoma?

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.