A patient with posterior epistaxis fails nasal packing. Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation is planned. The sphenopalatine artery enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen at the level of:

• A Posterior end of the inferior turbinate
• B Posterior end of the middle turbinate ✓
• C Posterior end of the superior turbinate
• D Posterior wall of the maxillary sinus

Explanation

The sphenopalatine artery (terminal branch of the maxillary artery) enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen, which is located at the posterior end of the superior meatus, just behind (posterior to) the posterior attachment of the middle turbinate. During endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation, the surgeon identifies the posterior attachment of the middle turbinate as the key landmark to localize the foramen. It is the workhorse vessel for posterior epistaxis.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.