A Le Fort II fracture of the midface involves which structures?
- A Separation of the facial skeleton at the level of the nasal bones, inferior orbital rim, zygomatic arches, and pterygoid plates
- B Transverse fracture at the level of the nasal floor and maxillary alveolar process only
- C Bilateral horizontal fracture above the teeth, through the nasal septum, medial orbital walls, lateral orbital walls, and pterygoid plates, creating a pyramidal fragment ✓
- D Complete craniofacial dysjunction separating entire face from the skull base
Correct answer: C. Bilateral horizontal fracture above the teeth, through the nasal septum, medial orbital walls, lateral orbital walls, and pterygoid plates, creating a pyramidal fragment
Explanation
Le Fort II fracture creates a pyramidal midface fragment. The fracture line passes through the nasal bones, frontal process of the maxilla, lacrimal bones, medial orbital floor, infraorbital rim, lateral orbital walls, zygomatic process of the maxilla, and pterygoid plates bilaterally. Le Fort I is a low horizontal fracture (above the teeth), and Le Fort III (craniofacial dysjunction) separates the entire face from the cranial base. Le Fort II is the 'pyramidal' fracture.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.