Free Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Section 1 Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Section 1 practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1During emergency airway planning, a surgeon palpates the cricothyroid membrane. Which pair of cartilages bounds this membrane?

   1. A.Thyroid and epiglottic
   2. B.Thyroid and cricoidCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Cricoid and arytenoid
   4. D.Arytenoid and corniculate

   Explanation: The trauma manual places the membrane "between the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) above, and the horizontal cricoid cartilage below." It therefore lies between the thyroid cartilage superiorly and cricoid cartilage inferiorly; the other pairs describe different laryngeal relationships.

   Reference: Royal Children's Hospital Trauma Manual – Airway procedures — Needle cricothyroidotomy – Surface markings

2. 2While exposing a mandibular angle fracture through a submandibular approach, which facial nerve branch is the principal neural structure at risk?

   1. A.Temporal branch
   2. B.Zygomatic branch
   3. C.Buccal branch
   4. D.Marginal mandibular branchCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The source states: "The main neural structure is the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)." The approach crosses the territory of the lower facial motor branch, rather than the temporal, zygomatic or buccal branches.

   Reference: AO Surgery Reference – Submandibular approach — §1, Neurovascular structures

3. 3Before sagittal split ramus osteotomy, CT is reviewed to locate the nerve within the mandible that is especially vulnerable during splitting. Which nerve is being mapped?

   1. A.Lingual nerve
   2. B.Buccal nerve
   3. C.Inferior alveolar nerveCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Auriculotemporal nerve

   Explanation: The source states: "intraoperative injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) remains one of the common complications." The inferior alveolar nerve runs within the mandibular surgical region and is the nerve identified as at risk during SSRO; the other mandibular-division branches have different courses.

   Reference: Avoiding Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury During Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy — Abstract

4. 4Following neck dissection, a patient has shoulder droop and difficulty reaching above the head. Injury to which nerve best explains this deficit?

   1. A.Hypoglossal nerve
   2. B.Accessory nerveCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Phrenic nerve
   4. D.Vagus nerve

   Explanation: Cambridge University Hospitals – Neck dissection states: "Loss of the accessory nerve can also lead to permanent shoulder drop and stiffness following surgery." Accessory nerve injury impairs shoulder elevation and overhead movement after this operation.

   Reference: Cambridge University Hospitals – Neck dissection — Risks, nerve damage

5. 5During examination for recurrent parotitis, the surgeon looks for the parotid duct papilla. Opposite which tooth does it normally open?

   1. A.Upper second molarCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Upper first premolar
   3. C.Lower second molar
   4. D.Lower first premolar

   Explanation: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide states: "oral cavity opposite the upper second molar tooth." The parotid duct opens through buccal mucosa opposite the upper second molar.

   Reference: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide — Chapter 4.1, p. 71

6. 6Before operating in the floor of the mouth, a surgeon identifies the nerve carrying general sensation and taste fibres from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Which nerve is at risk locally?

   1. A.Hypoglossal nerve
   2. B.Long buccal nerve
   3. C.Mental nerve
   4. D.Lingual nerveCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide states: "lingual nerve – supplying sensation and taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue – runs close by." The lingual nerve carries these fibres through the floor of the mouth; hypoglossal is motor, and the other branches serve different sensory territories.

   Reference: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide — Chapter 4.1, p. 72

7. 7When assessing the depth of a facial skin wound, the surgeon identifies the layer containing sweat glands and cutaneous blood vessels immediately beneath the epidermis. Which layer is this?

   1. A.Subcutaneous fat
   2. B.Deep fascia
   3. C.DermisCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Epidermis

   Explanation: National Institutes of Health – Healthy Skin states: "The dermis is the next layer down, hidden under the epidermis. This layer contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and oil and sweat glands." The dermis contains these adnexal and vascular structures beneath the epidermis.

   Reference: National Institutes of Health – Healthy Skin — Skin structure

8. 8During antenatal counselling, the team explains the developmental mechanism of a cleft palate. Which process has failed?

   1. A.Fusion of the palatal halvesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Mineralisation of palatal bone
   3. C.Remodelling of palatal bone
   4. D.Resorption of palatal bone

   Explanation: Great Ormond Street Hospital – Cleft palate states: "the two halves do not join together as they should. This leaves a gap in the palate." A cleft results from failed joining of the developing palatal halves, rather than a primary defect of bone mineralisation, remodelling or resorption.

   Reference: Great Ormond Street Hospital – Cleft palate — What causes a cleft palate?

9. 9An infant has suspected craniosynostosis requiring coordinated assessment of skull growth, vision, airway and possible surgery. Which specialist service should coordinate this assessment?

   1. A.Cleft lip and palate team
   2. B.Orthognathic surgery team
   3. C.Craniofacial multidisciplinary teamCorrect answer: C
   4. D.General paediatric dentistry team

   Explanation: Great Ormond Street Hospital – Craniofacial Unit states: "Our multidisciplinary team diagnoses and treats all forms of craniosynostosis as well as other conditions affecting the skull and face." A specialist craniofacial MDT coordinates the multiple relevant assessments, rather than a service focused on cleft, jaw deformity or dental care.

   Reference: Great Ormond Street Hospital – Craniofacial Unit — Conditions treated, introduction

10. 10An upper posterior tooth is being assessed before extraction because its root apices closely approach a paranasal cavity. Which cavity has this important relationship?

    1. A.Frontal sinus
    2. B.Sphenoidal sinus
    3. C.Ethmoidal air cells
    4. D.Maxillary sinusCorrect answer: D

    Explanation: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide states: "the risk of tearing the maxillary sinus lining when removing such teeth." The maxillary sinus lies close to upper posterior root apices, creating the risk of an oroantral communication during extraction.

    Reference: BAOMS – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: An Illustrated Guide — Chapter 7, Dental relationships to the maxillary sinus, pp. 122–123