Pharynx: coin radiograph orientation: 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 · Pharynx: coin radiograph orientation

Sample item

A frontal chest radiograph of a toddler who swallowed a coin shows a round disc seen face-on at the level of the clavicles. In which structure is it most likely located?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. The oesophagus, where coins lie in the coronal plane

In the oesophagus a coin lies in the coronal plane, seen face-on on a frontal film because the oesophagus is flattened anteroposteriorly. In the trachea it lies sagittally and appears on edge, because the cartilage rings are deficient posteriorly and the airway is wide from side to side.

Option by option

  • A. The oesophagus, where coins lie in the coronal plane (correct)

    Correct. A coronal coin is typical for the oesophagus.

  • B. The right main bronchus

    A bronchial foreign body would be lower and cause air trapping.

  • C. The trachea, where coins lie face-on

    Tracheal coins lie on edge on a frontal film.

  • D. The stomach

    A gastric coin would lie below the diaphragm.

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 A, The oesophagus, where coins lie in the coronal plane. In the oesophagus a coin lies in the coronal plane, seen face-on on a frontal film because the oesophagus is flattened anteroposteriorly.

Why is "The right main bronchus" not the answer?

A bronchial foreign body would be lower and cause air trapping.

Why is "The trachea, where coins lie face-on" not the answer?

Tracheal coins lie on edge on a frontal film.

Why is "The stomach" not the answer?

A gastric coin would lie below the diaphragm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx: coin radiograph orientation in ENT. In the trachea it lies sagittally and appears on edge, because the cartilage rings are deficient posteriorly and the airway is wide from side to side.

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 Pharynx: coin radiograph orientation?

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.