American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Which of the following describes a LeFort II fracture?

1. Lateral to nasal, under eyes, diagonal

2. Maxillary fracture, straight

3. Extends into base of the skull

4. Involves the frontal bone

The correct answer is: Lateral to nasal, under eyes, diagonal

A LeFort II fracture is characterized by a specific type of mid-face injury that extends from the nasal region, across the maxilla, and diagonally beneath the orbits (the eye sockets). This fracture typically involves the zygomatic bone and the maxilla, creating a pyramidal shape of fracture lines that affect the integrity of the mid-facial structures. The classic "pyramidal" configuration can be visualized as a triangle extending from the nasal region down to the maxilla and zygoma, which aligns with the description of "lateral to nasal, under eyes, diagonal." In contrast, the other options describe different types of fractures or do not accurately represent the characteristics of a LeFort II fracture. For instance, a straight maxillary fracture typically refers to a LeFort I fracture, and an injury that extends into the base of the skull relates more to other craniofacial fractures rather than the mid-facial fractures described by LeFort classifications. Similarly, involvement of the frontal bone is not part of the LeFort II description as this classification primarily focuses on the mid-face structures. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately diagnosing and managing facial fractures in clinical settings.