Head & Neck Anatomy Important Viva Questions

May 2, 2017

The Head and Neck Anatomy is considered one of the toughest chapters when it comes to studying gross anatomy of 2nd Year MBBS. You have to memorize everything pertaining to each bony structure and soft part and all the subtle details (relationships etc) related to them. The Head & Neck often makes up the most part of the 2nd Year MBBS Viva and exam and so it is highly recommended that you develop a thorough understanding in this area of gross anatomy.

**You gulp looking at the amount of detail which you have to memorize. 😀**

This blog post contains important questions of Head and Neck which are frequently tested in viva and prof exam. They were collected from stages and prof viva stations by the students of Bolan Medical College, Quetta (Pakistan).

Important Viva Questions of Head and Neck Anatomy

Here are the most important and frequently asked viva questions for Head and Neck Anatomy (2nd Year MBBS). We hope this article will help you prepare well for your oral exam.

GOOD LUCK! 🙂

You will be presented with a skull, you have to identify various foramina and name the structures passing through them (very important)
Attachments of Mandible
Bones – mandible, cervical vertebrae and skull
Differences between A-typical and Typical Cervical Vertebrae
Name of Nuclei of 5th cranial nerve
5th cranial nerve divisions and sub divisions
Nerve supply of tongue ****
Course of fascial nerve ***
Name the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the Tongue?
Peculiarities of newborn skull?
The geniohyoid is innervated by which nerve?
Enumerate the contents of Anterior, Middle and Posterior Cranial Fossa?
Innervation of the Platoglossus? (ANSWER: Vagus Nerve and Pharyngeal Plexus)
Name the muscles involved in facial expression? And tell me their innervation?
Surface anatomy of thyroid
Course of recurrent laryngeal nerve
Differences between right and left Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
Surface anatomy of Fascial artery
Surface anatomy of parotid gland
Name the structures that pierce the PAROTID GLAND? **
Branches of external and internal carotid artery ***
Triangles of the neck contents and boundaries *****
Name the Parasympathetic ganglion > Which one is the largest of the four parsympathetic ganglia?
Name the CRANIAL NERVES? (You must learn their courses, supply and important clinical conditions related to each one of them)
Tell me the relations of the THYROID GLAND?
Enumerate the structures layer-by-layer that you will see as a surgeon during THYROIDECTOMY?
What will happen if the external laryngeal nerve is damaged due to trauma or pathology?
What is the innervation of the PAROTID GLAND?
What is the innervation of the SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND?
What is the nerve supply of Trechea?
Effect of thrombosis at the Cavernous Sinus?
Tell me the nerve supply of the DURA MATTER?
Arterial supply of the Meninges?
Middle Meningeal Artery?
How would you identify EXTRADURAL HEMORRHAGE?
How would you test the integrity of the VAGUS NERVE?
Mastoid Antrum
Distribution and branches of TRIGEMINAL NERVE?
Relations: Digastric Nerve?
Enumerate the branches of EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY?
Pterygopalatine Ganglion
Enumerate the layers of SCALP and tell me the blood supply, innervation and lymphatics of the scalp?
What is the DANGER AREA of the face? And why it is called so?
What is Epistaxis?
How the inhaled air is warmed up before it reaches the lungs? Name the arterial plexus? (ANSWER. Kiesselbach’s plexus)
Tell me the following pertaining to the FACE: Cutaneous nerves, sensory, arterial supply, venous drainage and lymphatics
What is Bell’s Palsy?
What is TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA?
CAROTID SHEATH > It’s contents and formation?
Weakest spot in the skull?
Structures passing through the floor of the CAVERNOUS SINUS?
Name the venous sinuses?
Ophthalmic Artery Course
What is Ansa Cervicalis?
Enumerate the muscles of Muscles of Mastication, their innervation and movements?
Tell me the branches of MAXILLAR ARTERY and its branches?
Otic and Submandibular Ganglion
Extra Ocular muscles **
Larynx blood supply
Cartilages of larynx
Orbit boundaries and walls
Relations of thyroid gland
Relations of parotid gland
Pathway of fascial nerve
Pterion
Fascial muscle nerve supply
Contents of the Infratemporal Fossa?
Tell me the boundaries of the Pterygopalatine Ganglion?
What is the Lacrimal Appratus?
What is “Torticollis”?
What are “Flax Cerebri” and “Tentorium”?
Extradural and Subdural Hemorrhages?
What are the contents of orbit?
Enumerate the extrocular muscles and their movements?
Tell me the course of OPTHALMIC ARTERY and its branches?
Dislocation of Temporomandibular Joint?
Clinics pertaining to CHORDA TYMPANI
What are the extrinsic muscles of the Tongue?
What is “Little’s Area” and it’s importance?
Horner’s Syndrome and it’s manifestation?
What is Ansa Subclavia?
What are the Suprahyoid Muscles?
Tributaries of Internal Jugular Vein?
Origin, Insertion and Nerve Supply, Action of the Extrinsic Muscles of the Eyeball?
What are the boundaries and contents of the Digastric Triangle?
Clinics related to Nasal Septum?
What is the age at which the POSTERIOR FONTANELLE closes?
At what point (embryology) does the Mastoid Process develop?
What are the functions of the facial bones sinuses?
Name the important structure which lies beneath the Pterion?
Which structure(s) are transmitted through the Optica Canal?
Name the largest and strongest bone of the face?
Innervation of the Platymsa Muscle?
Differences between male and female Mandible?
What do you know about the EMISSARY VEINS?
What do you know about the “Capsule of the Thyroid”?
Supra and infraorbital foramen and their contents?
Internal Acoustic Meatus
What are the important branches of the Facial Nerve?
Enumerate the important branches of VAGUS NERVE in the neck region?
Auditory Ossicles
Arterial supply of the Tympanic Membrane?