Anatomy & Histology · single question
A patient develops cavernous sinus thrombosis from a dental infection. What is the EXPECTED clinical sign?
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Correct answer: C. Difficulty moving the eye (ophthalmoplegia)
- A. Incorrect. Contralateral facial weakness is a UMN lesion sign affecting the corticospinal tract — not cavernous sinus.
- B. Incorrect. Taste (CN VII, IX) pathways do not run through the cavernous sinus.
- C. Correct. The cavernous sinus contains CN III (oculomotor), CN IV (trochlear), CN VI (abducens), and CN V1/V2. Cavernous sinus thrombosis causes OPHTHALMOPLEGIA (inability to move the eye in all directions), proptosis, periorbital edema, and potentially visual loss. Difficulty moving the eye is the classic sign.
- D. Incorrect. Hearing loss involves CN VIII — which does not pass through the cavernous sinus.
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