ENT Quiz Questions with verified ANSWERS 2026!!!
1. In adults, the length of the external auditory canal is _____ cm.
A. 0.5
B. 1
C. 2.5
D. 4
E. 5 - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C / 2.5 cm (1 in) long in adults
From Seidel: The external auditory canal, an S -shaped pathway leading to the middle ear, is
approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) long in adults. Answer found below figure 12-3
2. The middle ear contains the
A. cerumen and sebaceous glands.
B. umbo and malleus.
C. vestibule and cochlea.
D. pars tensa and semicircular canals.
E. helix and antihelix. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: B
From Seidel: The middle ear is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. It contains the ossicles, three
small connected bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound from the tympanic membrane
to the oval window of the inner ear. The air-filled cells of the mastoid area of the temporal bone are
continuous with the middle ear. The tympanic membrane, surrounded by a dense fibrous ring (annulus),
separates the external ear from the middle ear. It is concave, being pulled in at the center (umbo) by the
malleus. The tympanic membrane is translucent, permitting the middle ear cavity and malleus to be
visualized. Its oblique position to the auditory canal and conical shape account for the triangular light
reflex. Most of the tympanic membrane is tense (the pars tensa), but the superior portion (pars flaccida)
is more flaccid ( Fig. 12-4 ).
3. The middle ear is normally filled with
A. mucous collections.
B. blood.
C. serous fluid.
D. cerebrospinal fluid.
,E. air. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: E
From Seidel: The middle ear is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. Found under figure 12-3
4. The hair cells of Corti and membrane of Corti
A. maintain equilibrium.
B. protect the ear from foreign particles.
C. stimulate the eighth cranial nerve.
D. transmit vibrations to the ossicles.
E. produce a waxy lubricant. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C
From Seidel: Hair cells in the organ of Corti detect sound vibrations and send the information to the
auditory division of the eighth cranial nerve. These impulses are transmitted to the temporal lobe of the
brain for interpretation. Sound vibrations may also be transmitted by bone directly to the inner ear.
5. The organ of Corti is a coiled structure located inside the
A. cochlea in the inner ear.
B. pars flaccida in the tympanic membrane.
C. eustachian tube.
D. lateral aspect of the pinna.
E. tragus. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer A:
From Seidel: The coiled cochlea of the inner ear contains the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti sends
sound impulses to the vestibulocochlear nerve.
6. Which ear structure is responsible for equalizing atmospheric pressure when swallowing, sneezing,
and yawning?
A. Eustachian tube
B. Inner ear
C. Semicircular canals
D. Triangular fossa
E. Oval window - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: A
, From Seidel: The eustachian tube drains into the posterior aspect of the inferior turbinate of the nose.
Muscles briefly open this passage (during swallowing, yawning, or sneezing) to clear middle ear
secretions and to equalize the middle ear pressure with atmospheric pressure.
7. The structures that lie along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity near the facial cheek are the _____
sinuses.
A. ethmoid
B. frontal
C. maxillary
D. cribriform
E. sphenoid - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C
From Seidel: The maxillary sinuses lie along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity in the maxillary bone. The
frontal sinuses are in the frontal bone superior to the nasal cavities. The ethmoid sinuses lie behind the
frontal sinuses and near the superior portion of the nasal cavity. The sphenoid sinuses are deep in the
skull behind the ethmoid sinuses (seidel) -Griselda
8. A 5-year-old child presents with nasal congestion and a headache. To assess for sinus tenderness, you
should palpate over the
A. sphenoid and frontal sinuses.
B. maxillary and frontal sinuses.
C. maxillary sinuses only.
D. sphenoid sinuses only.
E. ethmoid and frontal sinuses. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: B
From Seidel: Palpate the frontal and maxillary sinuses for the tenderness or pain, and swelling
9. A 30-year-old woman presents with rapid swelling beneath her jaw that suddenly appears while she is
eating. The swelling is mildly painful but is not hot or red. You suspect Wharton salivary duct stones and
proceed to palpate
A. bilaterally along the buccal mucosa.
B. under the tongue, along each side of the frenulum.
C. dorsum of the tongue.
D. beside the gingivae near each molar.
1. In adults, the length of the external auditory canal is _____ cm.
A. 0.5
B. 1
C. 2.5
D. 4
E. 5 - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C / 2.5 cm (1 in) long in adults
From Seidel: The external auditory canal, an S -shaped pathway leading to the middle ear, is
approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) long in adults. Answer found below figure 12-3
2. The middle ear contains the
A. cerumen and sebaceous glands.
B. umbo and malleus.
C. vestibule and cochlea.
D. pars tensa and semicircular canals.
E. helix and antihelix. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: B
From Seidel: The middle ear is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. It contains the ossicles, three
small connected bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound from the tympanic membrane
to the oval window of the inner ear. The air-filled cells of the mastoid area of the temporal bone are
continuous with the middle ear. The tympanic membrane, surrounded by a dense fibrous ring (annulus),
separates the external ear from the middle ear. It is concave, being pulled in at the center (umbo) by the
malleus. The tympanic membrane is translucent, permitting the middle ear cavity and malleus to be
visualized. Its oblique position to the auditory canal and conical shape account for the triangular light
reflex. Most of the tympanic membrane is tense (the pars tensa), but the superior portion (pars flaccida)
is more flaccid ( Fig. 12-4 ).
3. The middle ear is normally filled with
A. mucous collections.
B. blood.
C. serous fluid.
D. cerebrospinal fluid.
,E. air. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: E
From Seidel: The middle ear is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. Found under figure 12-3
4. The hair cells of Corti and membrane of Corti
A. maintain equilibrium.
B. protect the ear from foreign particles.
C. stimulate the eighth cranial nerve.
D. transmit vibrations to the ossicles.
E. produce a waxy lubricant. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C
From Seidel: Hair cells in the organ of Corti detect sound vibrations and send the information to the
auditory division of the eighth cranial nerve. These impulses are transmitted to the temporal lobe of the
brain for interpretation. Sound vibrations may also be transmitted by bone directly to the inner ear.
5. The organ of Corti is a coiled structure located inside the
A. cochlea in the inner ear.
B. pars flaccida in the tympanic membrane.
C. eustachian tube.
D. lateral aspect of the pinna.
E. tragus. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer A:
From Seidel: The coiled cochlea of the inner ear contains the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti sends
sound impulses to the vestibulocochlear nerve.
6. Which ear structure is responsible for equalizing atmospheric pressure when swallowing, sneezing,
and yawning?
A. Eustachian tube
B. Inner ear
C. Semicircular canals
D. Triangular fossa
E. Oval window - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: A
, From Seidel: The eustachian tube drains into the posterior aspect of the inferior turbinate of the nose.
Muscles briefly open this passage (during swallowing, yawning, or sneezing) to clear middle ear
secretions and to equalize the middle ear pressure with atmospheric pressure.
7. The structures that lie along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity near the facial cheek are the _____
sinuses.
A. ethmoid
B. frontal
C. maxillary
D. cribriform
E. sphenoid - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: C
From Seidel: The maxillary sinuses lie along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity in the maxillary bone. The
frontal sinuses are in the frontal bone superior to the nasal cavities. The ethmoid sinuses lie behind the
frontal sinuses and near the superior portion of the nasal cavity. The sphenoid sinuses are deep in the
skull behind the ethmoid sinuses (seidel) -Griselda
8. A 5-year-old child presents with nasal congestion and a headache. To assess for sinus tenderness, you
should palpate over the
A. sphenoid and frontal sinuses.
B. maxillary and frontal sinuses.
C. maxillary sinuses only.
D. sphenoid sinuses only.
E. ethmoid and frontal sinuses. - ANSWERS✔️💫-Answer: B
From Seidel: Palpate the frontal and maxillary sinuses for the tenderness or pain, and swelling
9. A 30-year-old woman presents with rapid swelling beneath her jaw that suddenly appears while she is
eating. The swelling is mildly painful but is not hot or red. You suspect Wharton salivary duct stones and
proceed to palpate
A. bilaterally along the buccal mucosa.
B. under the tongue, along each side of the frenulum.
C. dorsum of the tongue.
D. beside the gingivae near each molar.
