Which statement about the mastoid antrum in a newborn infant is correct?
- A It is present at birth and lies relatively superficial, close to the suprameatal triangle ✓
- B It is absent at birth and develops after the first year
- C It is present at birth but lies deep beneath several centimetres of cortical bone
- D It communicates with the middle ear only after pneumatization is complete
Correct answer: A. It is present at birth and lies relatively superficial, close to the suprameatal triangle
Explanation
The mastoid antrum is well developed and adult sized at birth, but pneumatization of the rest of the mastoid occurs later in childhood. In infants the antrum therefore lies very superficially, only a few millimetres deep to the suprameatal triangle, so a postaural abscess or incision can readily open into it. Options B and D are wrong because the antrum communicates with the middle ear through the aditus from birth.
Reference: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.