Practice Quiz - Nasal Cavity and Pharynx
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  1. The entry of bacteria through which space could lead to an infection in the mastoid air cells:
    Auditory (nasopharyngeal) tube
    Cochlea
    External acoustic meatus
    Internal acoustic meatus
    Sacculus
  2. Most paranasal sinuses and/or air cells drain, directly or indirectly, into the:
    Inferior meatus
    Middle meatus
    Superior meatus
    Nasal vestibule
    Sphenoethmoidal recess
  3. Irrigation of the maxillary sinus through its opening is a supportive measure to accelerate the resolution of a maxillary sinus infection. Which of the following nasal spaces is the most likely approach to the sinus opening?
    choana
    inferior meatus
    middle meatus
    sphenoethmoidal recess
    superior meatus
  4. In assessing a deep laceration of the right side of the nose, the attending physician determines that the cartilage on the lateral side of the nostril has been cut. What cartilage was injured?
    Accessory
    Alar
    Lateral
    Septal
    None of the above
  5. The nasolacrimal duct empties into which part of the nasal cavity?
    Hiatus semilunaris
    Inferior meatus
    Middle meatus
    Sphenoethmoidal recess
    Vestibule
  6. The pharyngeal tonsils, or adenoids, may become inflamed and in serious cases need to be removed. Where would the physician search for them?
    In the tonsillar fossa
    In the pharyngeal recess
    In the piriform recess
    In the roof of the nasopharynx
    Upon the dorsal surface of the tongue
  7. The middle nasal concha is part of what bone?
    Ethmoid bone
    Maxilla
    Palatine bone
    Sphenoid bone
    Vomer
  8. A 23-year-old man comes to you complaining that he can't stop crying, i.e. tears regularly run down the right side of his face. You suspect that one of the lacrimal ducts on the right side of the face is blocked. You look into an endoscope to see if the nasolacrimal duct is blocked. Into which part of the nasal cavity would you look to see the opening of the duct?
    Hiatus semilunaris
    Inferior meatus
    Middle meatus
    Sphenoethmoidal recess
    Superior meatus
  9. Which structure forms a border of the tonsillar fossa?
    Torus tubarius
    Palatopharyngeal fold
    Salpingopharyngeal fold
    Lateral glossoepiglottic fold
    Medial pterygoid plate
  10. The communication between the pharynx and the nasal cavity is known as the:
    Aditus
    Auditory tube
    Choanae
    Fauces
    Piriform recess
  11. Following thyroid surgery, it was noted that a patient frequently aspirated fluid into her lungs. Upon examination it was determined that the area of the piriform recess above the vocal fold of the larynx was numb. What nerve may have been injured?
    External branch of the superior laryngeal
    Hypoglossal
    Internal branch of the superior laryngeal
    Lingual
    Recurrent laryngeal
  12. The constrictor muscles of the pharynx receive their motor nerve supply from the:
    Glossopharyngeal nerve
    Hypoglossal nerve
    Spinal accessory nerve
    Sympathetic trunk
    Vagus nerve