During a boxing competition, a boxer receives a hard upward blow to the nose. Later, he notices clear fluid leaking from his nose. What is the most likely explanation for this occurrence?
A) The temporal bone was fractured in the accident, dislodging the auditory ossicles and allowing fluid normally found in the middle ear to leak out.
B) The sphenoid bone was fractured in the accident, disrupting the boundary around the nose and throat, increasing the flow of nasal secretions.
C) The frontal bone was fractured, allowing tears to flow from the orbital cavity and out through the nose.
D) The cribriform plate was fractured, disrupting the meninges and allowing cerebrospinal fluid to leak out.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cribriform plate, part of the ethmoid bone, when fractured can lead to a tear in the meninges, the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. This can result in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the nose, a condition known as CSF rhinorrhea.

During a Boxing Competition, a Boxer Receives a Hard Upward