Temple in Human Anatomy MCQ Questions and Answers

1. The main motor supply to the temporalis muscle is from the:
A) Lesser occipital nerve
B) Great auricular nerve
C) Auriculotemporal nerve (branch of V3)
D) Deep temporal nerves (branches of V3)
Answer: D

2. The temporalis muscle inserts onto the:
A) Condylar process of mandible
B) Coronoid process and anterior border of ramus of mandible
C) Styloid process of temporal bone
D) Mastoid process
Answer: B

3. The temporalis muscle is primarily responsible for:
A) Protrusion of mandible
B) Depression of mandible
C) Elevation and retraction of mandible
D) Lateral deviation only
Answer: C

4. The superficial temporal artery is a terminal branch of the:
A) Vertebral artery
B) External carotid artery
C) Internal carotid artery
D) Maxillary artery
Answer: B

5. Which structure passes deep to the zygomatic arch to supply the temporalis muscle?
A) Internal carotid artery
B) Deep temporal arteries (branches of maxillary artery)
C) Facial artery
D) Superficial temporal artery
Answer: B

6. The auriculotemporal nerve carries which type of fibers from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland?
A) Sympathetic postganglionic
B) Somatic motor
C) Parasympathetic secretomotor (postganglionic)
D) Special sensory
Answer: C

7. The pterion is clinically important because injury there may rupture the:
A) Superficial temporal artery
B) Middle meningeal artery
C) Maxillary artery
D) Middle meningeal vein
Answer: B

8. The superficial temporal vein drains into the:
A) External jugular vein
B) Retromandibular vein
C) Facial vein
D) Maxillary vein
Answer: B

9. The floor of the temporal fossa is formed by:
A) Parietal bone only
B) Frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones
C) Zygomatic bone
D) Mandible
Answer: B

10. The superior boundary of the temporal fossa is the:
A) Zygomatic arch
B) Infratemporal crest
C) Superior temporal line
D) Squamous suture
Answer: C

11. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed between the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone and:
A) Ramus of mandible
B) Head (condyle) of mandible
C) Coronoid process
D) Angle of mandible
Answer: B

12. The articular disc of the TMJ develops from:
A) Second pharyngeal arch
B) Mesenchyme of first pharyngeal arch
C) Third pharyngeal pouch
D) Surface ectoderm
Answer: B

13. Lateral deviation of mandible to one side results from contraction of:
A) Lateral pterygoid of opposite side with temporalis of same side
B) Medial pterygoid of same side only
C) Masseter of opposite side
D) Buccinator of opposite side
Answer: A

14. The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the:
A) Facial nerve
B) Mandibular nerve (V3)
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve
D) Great auricular nerve
Answer: B

15. The superficial temporal artery lies in which layer of the scalp?
A) Skin
B) Dense connective tissue (second layer)
C) Aponeurosis
D) Loose areolar tissue
Answer: B

16. The zygomatic process of the temporal bone arises from the:
A) Petrous part
B) Tympanic part
C) Squamous part
D) Mastoid part
Answer: C

17. The pterion is formed by the junction of all the following except:
A) Frontal bone
B) Parietal bone
C) Greater wing of sphenoid
D) Occipital bone
Answer: D

18. Deep to the temporalis muscle in the infratemporal fossa lies the:
A) Superficial temporal artery
B) Maxillary artery
C) Facial artery
D) Retromandibular vein
Answer: B

19. Pain from the TMJ is carried by the:
A) Facial nerve
B) Hypoglossal nerve
C) Auriculotemporal nerve
D) Vagus nerve
Answer: C

20. The temporalis muscle receives arterial supply mainly from:
A) Superficial temporal artery
B) Facial artery
C) Deep temporal arteries (branches of maxillary artery)
D) Posterior auricular artery
Answer: C

21. The artery involved in temporal arteritis is the:
A) Maxillary artery
B) Middle meningeal artery
C) Superficial temporal artery
D) Occipital artery
Answer: C

22. The superficial temporal artery divides into its terminal branches:
A) Below the zygomatic arch
B) Above the zygomatic arch
C) Behind the ear
D) At the angle of mandible
Answer: B

23. The superficial temporal vein communicates indirectly with the cavernous sinus via:
A) Facial vein
B) Angular vein
C) Pterygoid venous plexus and emissary veins
D) External jugular vein
Answer: C

24. The auriculotemporal nerve supplies all except:
A) External auditory canal
B) Superolateral auricle
C) TMJ
D) Tongue
Answer: D

25. Damage to mandibular nerve proximal to otic ganglion leads to:
A) Facial paralysis
B) Decreased salivation (loss of parotid secretomotor fibers)
C) Loss of taste anterior tongue
D) Hypersecretion of saliva
Answer: B

26. The temporal branch of the facial nerve passes:
A) Superficial to zygomatic arch
B) Across zygomatic arch within SMAS
C) Deep to temporalis
D) Through infratemporal fossa
Answer: B

27. The pterion overlies the:
A) Transverse sinus
B) Anterior branch of middle meningeal artery
C) Superior sagittal sinus
D) Superior cerebral vein
Answer: B

28. The temporalis muscle is supplied by:
A) Inferior alveolar nerve
B) Deep temporal nerves (V3 branches)
C) Buccal nerve
D) Auriculotemporal nerve
Answer: B

29. The posterior fibers of temporalis are responsible for:
A) Protrusion
B) Retraction of mandible
C) Depression
D) Lateral deviation
Answer: B

30. The temporal fossa communicates with infratemporal fossa through:
A) Foramen ovale
B) Gap beneath zygomatic arch
C) Foramen spinosum
D) Petrotympanic fissure
Answer: B

31. The fascia covering the temporalis muscle is the:
A) Parotid fascia
B) Temporal fascia (deep temporal fascia)
C) Buccal fascia
D) Investing fascia of neck
Answer: B

32. The TMJ is a compound synovial joint because:
A) It has a fibrocartilaginous disc dividing two cavities
B) It has two synovial cavities separated by an articular disc
C) It has a capsule
D) It has more than two bones
Answer: B

33. The artery supplying the temporal scalp region is:
A) Posterior auricular artery
B) Superficial temporal artery
C) Occipital artery
D) Deep temporal artery
Answer: B

34. Parasympathetic fibers reaching the parotid gland synapse in the:
A) Submandibular ganglion
B) Otic ganglion
C) Pterygopalatine ganglion
D) Superior cervical ganglion
Answer: B

35. The origin of the temporalis muscle is from:
A) Temporal fossa and temporal fascia
B) Zygomatic arch
C) Lateral pterygoid plate
D) Maxilla
Answer: A

36. The most superficial vessel crossing the zygomatic arch is the:
A) Deep temporal artery
B) Superficial temporal artery
C) Maxillary artery
D) Middle meningeal artery
Answer: B

37. The posterior branch of superficial temporal artery anastomoses with:
A) Occipital artery
B) Maxillary artery
C) Facial artery
D) Middle meningeal artery
Answer: A

38. The pterygomaxillary fissure transmits the:
A) Retromandibular vein
B) Maxillary artery
C) Facial nerve
D) Superficial temporal vein
Answer: B

39. The mandibular nerve exits skull through:
A) Foramen rotundum
B) Foramen ovale
C) Foramen spinosum
D) Stylomastoid foramen
Answer: B

40. Loss of sensation over anterior temporal scalp indicates injury to:
A) Lesser occipital nerve
B) Auriculotemporal nerve
C) Great auricular nerve
D) Facial nerve
Answer: B

41. The lateral ligament of TMJ is derived from:
A) Fibrous capsule thickening
B) Stylomandibular ligament
C) Sphenomandibular ligament
D) Alar ligament
Answer: A

42. The middle ear cavity lies within the:
A) Tympanic part
B) Mastoid part
C) Petrous part of temporal bone
D) Squamous part
Answer: C

43. The mastoid process is part of the:
A) Petrous portion
B) Tympanic portion
C) Mastoid portion of temporal bone
D) Squamous portion
Answer: C

44. The scalp layer that allows free movement is the:
A) Dense connective tissue
B) Aponeurosis
C) Loose areolar tissue
D) Pericranium
Answer: C

45. The deep temporal nerves arise from the:
A) V2
B) V1
C) V3
D) Facial nerve
Answer: C

46. The superficial temporal artery is palpable:
A) Behind the ear
B) Anterior to the tragus, above zygomatic arch
C) At angle of mandible
D) Mid-forehead
Answer: B

47. The temporal branch of facial nerve supplies:
A) Frontalis and orbicularis oculi
B) Masseter
C) Temporalis
D) Buccinator
Answer: A

48. The middle meningeal artery passes through:
A) Foramen ovale
B) Foramen spinosum
C) Foramen rotundum
D) Jugular foramen
Answer: B

49. The buccal nerve (V3 branch) supplies:
A) Buccinator motor
B) Skin and mucosa of cheek (sensory)
C) Parotid gland
D) Tongue
Answer: B

50. The common direction of TMJ dislocation is:
A) Posterior
B) Anterior
C) Lateral
D) Medial
Answer: B

51. The space between the two layers of the temporal fascia near the zygomatic arch contains:
A) Superficial temporal artery
B) Fat pad and small branches of the deep temporal vessels
C) Parotid duct
D) Middle meningeal artery
Answer: B

52. The superior temporal line provides attachment to:
A) Galea aponeurotica
B) Temporal fascia and temporalis muscle
C) Masseter
D) SCM
Answer: B

53. The auriculotemporal nerve typically encircles which artery?
A) Facial artery
B) Maxillary artery
C) Middle meningeal artery
D) Occipital artery
Answer: C

54. The roof of the infratemporal fossa is formed by:
A) Mandible
B) Greater wing of sphenoid and temporal bone
C) Maxilla
D) Zygoma
Answer: B

55. The superficial temporal artery is accompanied by:
A) Facial vein
B) Superficial temporal vein and auriculotemporal nerve
C) Maxillary vein
D) Transverse facial artery
Answer: B

56. The transverse facial artery is a branch of:
A) Facial artery
B) Superficial temporal artery
C) Maxillary artery
D) Occipital artery
Answer: B

57. The zygomatic arch separates the:
A) Temporal and parietal bones
B) Temporal fossa and infratemporal fossa
C) Mandible and maxilla
D) TMJ and ear canal
Answer: B

58. Proprioceptive fibers from the TMJ travel via:
A) Lingual nerve
B) Auriculotemporal nerve
C) Facial nerve
D) Great auricular nerve
Answer: B

59. Deep temporal arteries reach temporalis muscle by passing:
A) Through foramen ovale
B) Between pericranium and temporalis muscle
C) Within temporal fascia
D) Between zygoma and masseter
Answer: B

60. The surface landmark for pterion is approximately:
A) 1 cm above zygomatic arch
B) 4 cm above and 3.5 cm behind zygomatic process of frontal bone
C) Level of mastoid process
D) Behind ear
Answer: B

61. The venous sinus located nearest to the pterion region through emissary connections is the:
A) Sphenoparietal sinus
B) Cavernous sinus
C) Sigmoid sinus
D) Superior sagittal sinus
Answer: A

62. The temporal branch of facial nerve runs in which plane?
A) Deep to temporalis
B) Within SMAS over zygomatic arch
C) Between parotid lobes only
D) In carotid sheath
Answer: B

63. The temporal fascia attaches superiorly to:
A) Zygomatic arch
B) Superior temporal line
C) Mastoid
D) Mandibular angle
Answer: B

64. The muscle occupying the temporal fossa is:
A) Temporalis
B) Masseter
C) Buccinator
D) Lateral pterygoid
Answer: A

65. The preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion originate from:
A) Inferior salivatory nucleus (via glossopharyngeal nerve)
B) Facial nucleus
C) Superior salivatory nucleus
D) Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus
Answer: A

66. The pterion corresponds to junction of which sutures?
A) Sagittal and lambdoid
B) Coronal and squamous
C) Lambdoid and parietomastoid
D) Parietal and occipitomastoid
Answer: B

67. The ligament reinforcing the TMJ laterally is the:
A) Stylomandibular
B) Sphenomandibular
C) Lateral (temporomandibular) ligament
D) Alar ligament
Answer: C

68. The petrotympanic fissure transmits the:
A) Middle meningeal artery
B) Chorda tympani and anterior tympanic vessels
C) Greater petrosal nerve
D) Deep petrosal nerve
Answer: B

69. The pterygoid venous plexus communicates with cavernous sinus via:
A) Superior ophthalmic vein
B) Emissary veins
C) External jugular vein
D) Facial vein
Answer: B

70. The muscle passing medial to zygomatic arch to attach on lateral ramus is:
A) Masseter
B) Temporalis
C) Lateral pterygoid
D) Buccinator
Answer: A

71. The lateral boundary of the temporal fossa is:
A) Maxilla
B) Zygomatic arch
C) Mandible
D) Styloid process
Answer: B

72. The pterion lies over the:
A) Anterior cranial fossa
B) Lateral part of middle cranial fossa
C) Posterior cranial fossa
D) Nasal cavity
Answer: B

73. Deep temporal nerves carry:
A) Parasympathetic fibers
B) Motor fibers to temporalis
C) Sensory fibers to skin
D) Taste fibers
Answer: B

74. A blow at the pterion may cause:
A) Subdural hematoma
B) Extradural (epidural) hematoma
C) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
D) Intracerebral bleed
Answer: B

75. The artery supplying dura in temporal region is:
A) Middle meningeal artery
B) Superficial temporal artery
C) Occipital artery
D) Maxillary artery
Answer: A

76. Sensory fibers from TMJ travel via:
A) Facial nerve
B) Auriculotemporal nerve
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve
D) Vagus nerve
Answer: B

77. Depression of mandible is assisted by:
A) Temporalis
B) Masseter
C) Lateral pterygoid and suprahyoid muscles
D) Medial pterygoid
Answer: C

78. The tendon of temporalis passes:
A) Over zygomatic arch
B) Deep to zygomatic arch
C) Through mandibular notch
D) Behind parotid
Answer: B

79. Referred pain from the parotid gland reaches the temple via:
A) Facial nerve
B) Auriculotemporal nerve
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve
D) Greater auricular nerve
Answer: B

80. The temporal line gives attachment to:
A) Galea aponeurotica
B) Temporalis and temporal fascia
C) Buccinator
D) Masseter
Answer: B

81. Which structure is NOT found in the infratemporal fossa?
A) Maxillary artery
B) Lateral pterygoid
C) Pterygoid venous plexus
D) Frontal lobe
Answer: D

82. The zygomatic arch is formed by:
A) Temporal process of zygomatic + zygomatic process of temporal bone
B) Temporal process of frontal bone
C) Maxillary process of zygoma
D) Mandibular process
Answer: A

83. The middle meningeal artery enters skull through:
A) Foramen spinosum
B) Foramen ovale
C) Jugular foramen
D) Stylomastoid foramen
Answer: A

84. Sensory supply to anterior TMJ capsule is by:
A) Great auricular nerve
B) Auriculotemporal nerve
C) Facial nerve
D) Lesser occipital nerve
Answer: B

85. The temporal fascia attaches superiorly to:
A) Zygomatic arch
B) Superior temporal line
C) Mandibular notch
D) Parietal eminence
Answer: B

86. Retromandibular vein is formed by union of:
A) Facial and maxillary veins
B) Superficial temporal and maxillary veins
C) Facial and external jugular
D) Posterior auricular and maxillary
Answer: B

87. Posterior division of retromandibular vein joins posterior auricular vein to form:
A) Internal jugular vein
B) External jugular vein
C) Facial vein
D) Occipital vein
Answer: B

88. The squamous suture is between:
A) Parietal and squamous temporal bones
B) Parietal and occipital bones
C) Temporal and sphenoid bones
D) Zygomatic and temporal bones
Answer: A

89. The petrous part of temporal bone contains:
A) External auditory meatus
B) Inner ear structures
C) Mandibular fossa
D) Styloid process
Answer: B

90. The pulse of superficial temporal artery is felt:
A) Behind auricle
B) Anterior to tragus above zygomatic arch
C) Over mastoid
D) Mid-forehead
Answer: B

91. The pterygoid venous plexus communicates with cavernous sinus through:
A) Emissary veins
B) Internal jugular vein
C) Facial vein
D) Maxillary vein directly
Answer: A

92. Damage to temporal branch of facial nerve causes:
A) Loss of chewing
B) Inability to raise eyebrow and wrinkle forehead
C) Drooling of saliva
D) Loss of taste
Answer: B

93. The temporalis muscle passes:
A) Over zygomatic arch
B) Under zygomatic arch
C) Between masseter heads
D) Through parotid gland
Answer: B

94. The mandibular notch lies between:
A) Coronoid and condylar processes
B) Ramus and body
C) Condyle and angle
D) Coronoid and angle
Answer: A

95. Sympathetic fibers to parotid gland arise from:
A) Superior cervical ganglion
B) Inferior salivatory nucleus
C) Otic ganglion
D) Facial nucleus
Answer: A

96. The lateral capsule of TMJ is strengthened by fibers from:
A) Masseter fascia
B) Temporal fascia (lateral ligament)
C) Buccinator
D) Sphenomandibular ligament
Answer: B

97. The anterior tympanic artery is a branch of:
A) Superficial temporal artery
B) Maxillary artery
C) Posterior auricular artery
D) Facial artery
Answer: B

98. The tegmen tympani is part of which bone?
A) Petrous part of temporal bone
B) Sphenoid bone
C) Zygomatic bone
D) Mandible
Answer: A

99. Sympathetic fibers running with auriculotemporal nerve originate from:
A) Inferior salivatory nucleus
B) Superior cervical ganglion
C) Otic ganglion
D) Facial nucleus
Answer: B

100. During ligation of superficial temporal artery, which structure is at risk?
A) Facial vein
B) Deep temporal nerve
C) Auriculotemporal nerve
D) Maxillary artery
Answer: C