Oral Surgery · single question
A patient's jaw is sore after a child knocked their chin. All of the following structures can be fractured EXCEPT:
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Correct answer: B. Zygomatic arch
- A. Body fractures are common in direct mandibular trauma.
- B. Correct. The zygomatic arch is not a part of the mandible. While it can certainly fracture from facial trauma, it is a separate bone (the zygomatic process of the temporal bone + zygomatic bone) and cannot be fractured as part of a mandibular fracture pattern. The question specifically asks about which structure 'of the mandible' cannot fracture.
- C. Ramus fractures can occur from direct or indirect forces to the mandible.
- D. Condyle fracture from a blow to the chin (indirect trauma) is very common — the condylar neck is the weak point.