Otology: ossicle eroded in cholesteatoma: 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 · Otology: ossicle eroded in cholesteatoma

Sample item

Which ossicular part is most commonly eroded by cholesteatoma?

ALong process of the incusBHead of the malleusCHandle of the malleusDFootplate of the stapes

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Long process of the incus

The long process of the incus has a poor blood supply and lies in the path of cholesteatoma, so it is the commonest site of erosion. This breaks continuity with the stapes and causes conductive loss.

Option by option

A. Long process of the incus (correct)
Correct. The long process of the incus is most vulnerable.
B. Head of the malleus
The malleus head is eroded less often.
C. Handle of the malleus
The malleus handle is less affected.
D. Footplate of the stapes
The stapes footplate is usually protected.

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.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Long process of the incus. The long process of the incus has a poor blood supply and lies in the path of cholesteatoma, so it is the commonest site of erosion.

Why is "Head of the malleus" not the answer?

The malleus head is eroded less often.

Why is "Handle of the malleus" not the answer?

The malleus handle is less affected.

Why is "Footplate of the stapes" not the answer?

The stapes footplate is usually protected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology: ossicle eroded in cholesteatoma in ENT. This breaks continuity with the stapes and causes conductive loss.

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 Otology: ossicle eroded in cholesteatoma?

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.