Oral anatomy: lateral pterygoid weakness: 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 anatomy: lateral pterygoid weakness

Sample item

A patient has paralysis of the right lateral pterygoid muscle. In which direction does the mandible deviate on opening the mouth?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. To the right

Each lateral pterygoid pulls the condyle forward and pushes the chin to the opposite side. With the right muscle paralysed, the left one dominates and the jaw deviates toward the weak right side.

Option by option

  • A. It does not deviate

    Unilateral paralysis produces deviation.

  • B. Backward only

    Deviation is sideways, not simply backward.

  • C. To the right (correct)

    Correct. The jaw deviates toward the paralysed side.

  • D. To the left

    Deviation to the left would occur with a left-sided weakness.

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, To the right. Each lateral pterygoid pulls the condyle forward and pushes the chin to the opposite side.

Why is "It does not deviate" not the answer?

Unilateral paralysis produces deviation.

Why is "Backward only" not the answer?

Deviation is sideways, not simply backward.

Why is "To the left" not the answer?

Deviation to the left would occur with a left-sided weakness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral anatomy: lateral pterygoid weakness in Dentistry. With the right muscle paralysed, the left one dominates and the jaw deviates toward the weak right 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 Oral anatomy: lateral pterygoid weakness?

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.