Cranial foramina: practice question

A Anatomy 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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Anatomy · Cranial foramina

Sample item

Which cranial nerve division passes through the foramen rotundum to reach the pterygopalatine fossa?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Maxillary division of trigeminal nerve

The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve passes through foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa, carrying sensory fibers from the midface, upper teeth, nasal cavity, and palate.

Option by option

  • A. Facial nerve

    Facial nerve exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen after traveling in the facial canal.

  • B. Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve

    V3 exits the skull through the foramen ovale.

  • C. Maxillary division of trigeminal nerve (correct)

    Correct: V2 traverses the foramen rotundum.

  • D. Ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve

    V1 passes through the superior orbital fissure.

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 Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Maxillary division of trigeminal nerve. The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve passes through foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa, carrying sensory fibers from the midface, upper teeth, nasal cavity, and palate.

Why is "Facial nerve" not the answer?

Facial nerve exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen after traveling in the facial canal.

Why is "Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

V3 exits the skull through the foramen ovale.

Why is "Ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve" not the answer?

V1 passes through the superior orbital fissure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cranial foramina in Anatomy. The correct option holds because: Correct: V2 traverses the foramen rotundum.

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 Cranial foramina?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy 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.