During endoscopic sinus surgery, the key landmark used to identify the sphenopalatine foramen is:

• A Posterior end of the inferior turbinate
• B Posterior end of the superior turbinate
• C Anterior face of the sphenoid
• D Posterior end of the middle turbinate ✓

Explanation

The sphenopalatine foramen lies just posterior and slightly superior to the posterior end (tail) of the middle turbinate within the posterior fontanelle. Ligation of the sphenopalatine artery at this foramen is the standard endoscopic surgical treatment for refractory posterior epistaxis. Identifying the middle turbinate tail is therefore the critical landmark for this procedure.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.