A single feature common to all three levels of Le Fort midface fracture is:
- A Fracture of the infraorbital rim
- B Involvement of the frontozygomatic suture
- C Fracture of the pterygoid plates ✓
- D Separation at the nasofrontal junction
Correct answer: C. Fracture of the pterygoid plates
Explanation
Every Le Fort fracture line runs across the pterygomaxillary junction, fracturing the pterygoid plates; this is what detaches the maxilla from the skull base and explains the mobility demonstrated clinically. The frontozygomatic suture is involved in Le Fort III and zygomaticomaxillary injuries, the infraorbital rim mainly in Le Fort II, and the nasofrontal junction in Le Fort II and III, so none of these is common to all levels.
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.