FCPS Part 1 ENT MCQs by Subject: Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacology & Biochemistry

Basic-sciences MCQs for FCPS Part 1 ENT — anatomy, pathology, pharmacology and biochemistry as CPSP applies them to otorhinolaryngology, with answers.

FCPS Part 1 ENT isn't only ear, nose, throat and head-and-neck questions — anatomy, pathology, pharmacology and biochemistry make up a large share of the paper, applied specifically to otorhinolaryngology rather than asked as generic trivia. This sample covers that basic-sciences half, drawn from the FCPS Part 1 ENT QBank.

Sample MCQs

1. The facial nerve passes through which structure as it courses through the middle ear?

A) The cochlear aqueduct
B) The facial canal (Fallopian canal) ✅
C) The internal acoustic meatus only
D) The round window

2. The recurrent laryngeal nerve, at risk during thyroid surgery, is a branch of which cranial nerve?

A) Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
B) Vagus (CN X) ✅
C) Accessory (CN XI)
D) Hypoglossal (CN XII)

3. Which muscle, innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, tenses the vocal cords?

A) Posterior cricoarytenoid
B) Lateral cricoarytenoid
C) Cricothyroid ✅
D) Thyroarytenoid

4. Kiesselbach's plexus, the most common source of epistaxis, lies on which structure?

A) The lateral nasal wall
B) The anterior nasal septum ✅
C) The posterior choana
D) The cribriform plate

5. Cholesteatoma of the middle ear is pathologically defined as:

A) A vascular malformation
B) Keratinising squamous epithelium trapped in the middle ear/mastoid ✅
C) A granulomatous infection
D) A malignant squamous tumour

6. Mastoiditis most commonly arises as a complication of:

A) Allergic rhinitis
B) Acute otitis media ✅
C) Tonsillitis
D) Sinusitis

7. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma shows a strong association with which virus?

A) HPV
B) Epstein–Barr virus ✅
C) CMV
D) HSV-1

8. Which drug class is the most common cause of ototoxicity?

A) Beta-lactam antibiotics
B) Aminoglycosides ✅
C) Macrolides
D) Tetracyclines

9. Topical nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline work by:

A) Blocking H1 histamine receptors
B) Stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors to vasoconstrict mucosal vessels ✅
C) Inhibiting leukotriene synthesis
D) Blocking muscarinic receptors

10. Submandibular gland stones (sialolithiasis) are more common than parotid stones mainly because submandibular saliva is:

A) More acidic
B) More mucous-rich and drains against gravity through a longer, uphill duct ✅
C) Lower in calcium
D) Produced in smaller volumes only

11. Arnold's nerve, which can trigger a cough reflex when the external ear canal is stimulated, is a branch of which nerve?

A) Trigeminal (CN V)
B) Facial (CN VII)
C) Vagus (CN X) ✅
D) Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

12. First-generation antihistamines control allergic rhinitis symptoms mainly by:

A) Blocking H1 receptors ✅
B) Blocking beta-2 receptors
C) Inhibiting mast cell degranulation only
D) Blocking leukotriene receptors

Why This Half Is Easy to Under-Prepare For

Our guide to using ENT past papers notes that anatomy, pathology, biochemistry and pharmacology "make up the rest" of the question mix once ear, nose, larynx and head-and-neck are weighted.

Preparation Notes

Relearn cranial nerve anatomy (V, VII, IX, X) in an ENT context.
Pair each ototoxic/nephrotoxic drug class with its mechanism rather than memorising drug names alone.
Review basic pathology processes (inflammation, neoplasia, viral associations) through ENT examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the FCPS Part 1 ENT paper is basic sciences versus ENT-specific topics?

Exact proportions vary by paper, but anatomy, pathology, pharmacology and biochemistry together form a substantial share alongside the four ENT-specific regions — see our ENT past papers guide for the regional weighting.

Should I study these as generic basic sciences or ENT-specific ones?

ENT-specific. CPSP frames basic-science questions through ENT scenarios, so practice should be ENT-contextualised rather than generic MBBS revision.

Practise the Full Subject Breakdown

The FCPS Part 1 ENT QBank has 3,700+ MCQs across ear, nose and paranasal sinuses, larynx and airway, pharynx and oral cavity, head and neck, and this basic-sciences set, each with a written explanation. Your first 20 questions are free, no card required.