Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: lateral pharyngeal space infection: practice question

A Dentistry 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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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: lateral pharyngeal space infection

Sample item

A patient with an infected lower third molar has high fever, severe trismus and difficulty swallowing. There is little external facial swelling, but the tonsil and lateral pharyngeal wall bulge towards the midline. Which space is involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lateral pharyngeal space

The lateral pharyngeal (parapharyngeal) space lies lateral to the pharyngeal wall and medial to the medial pterygoid. Infection there causes trismus, dysphagia and medial displacement of the tonsil, with a risk of extension to the carotid sheath and mediastinum.

Option by option

  • A. Submental space

    Submental space infection gives a swelling under the chin.

  • B. Canine space

    Canine space infection swells the side of the nose and eyelid.

  • C. Lateral pharyngeal space (correct)

    Correct. Medial bulging of the tonsil with trismus points to the lateral pharyngeal space.

  • D. Buccal space

    Buccal space infection shows cheek swelling with little trismus.

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 Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Lateral pharyngeal space. The lateral pharyngeal (parapharyngeal) space lies lateral to the pharyngeal wall and medial to the medial pterygoid.

Why is "Submental space" not the answer?

Submental space infection gives a swelling under the chin.

Why is "Canine space" not the answer?

Canine space infection swells the side of the nose and eyelid.

Why is "Buccal space" not the answer?

Buccal space infection shows cheek swelling with little trismus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: lateral pharyngeal space infection in Dentistry. Infection there causes trismus, dysphagia and medial displacement of the tonsil, with a risk of extension to the carotid sheath and mediastinum.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: lateral pharyngeal space infection?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry 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.