A patient presents with recurrent episodes of sudden, severe vertigo lasting hours, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and nystagmus. Vestibular function tests demonstrate unilateral weakness. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's presentation of recurrent episodes of sudden, severe vertigo lasting hours, along with nausea, vomiting, nystagmus, and unilateral weakness on vestibular function tests, is most consistent with vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disorder of the vestibular nerve, typically viral in origin, leading to acute onset of vertigo. Patients often experience severe vertigo, imbalance, nausea, and vomiting, along with characteristic nystagmus. Unilateral weakness on vestibular function testing supports the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis, as it indicates dysfunction of one vestibular organ. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) typically presents with brief episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position without associated unilateral vestibular weakness. Ménière's disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo associated with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness, and

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation of painless, progressive visual field loss, especially in the peripheral vision, along with an open iridocorneal angle is characteristic of open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is a type of glaucoma where there is no physical obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye, but there is gradual damage to the optic nerve over time. The gradual loss of peripheral vision is a common early symptom of open-angle glaucoma. It is essential to diagnose and manage open-angle glaucoma promptly to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation described is consistent with anterior uveitis. Anterior uveitis involves inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. Patients typically present with symptoms such as redness, pain, photophobia, and blurred vision. The slit-lamp examination findings of ciliary injection (redness and dilation of blood vessels in the iris and ciliary body), corneal edema, and a mid-dilated pupil with a fixed reaction to light (due to ciliary muscle spasm causing decreased accommodation) are characteristic of anterior uveitis. This condition is often idiopathic but can be associated with various systemic diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune disorders. Treatment involves addressing the inflammation with topical corticosteroids and, in some cases, cycloplegic agents to reduce pain and inflammation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The pharynx is the structure responsible for transporting food from the oral cavity to the esophagus during swallowing. When food is chewed and mixed with saliva in the oral cavity, it forms a bolus that is propelled to the pharynx by the tongue. The pharynx serves as a common passageway for both air and food, allowing the bolus to pass into the esophagus while preventing it from entering the trachea. The epiglottis, although important in preventing food from entering the airway, is not directly involved in the transportation of food from the oral cavity to the esophagus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Attrition is the dental condition characterized by the abnormal wearing away of tooth structure due to factors such as bruxism (grinding or clenching of teeth) or acidic erosion. Bruxism can cause tooth-to-tooth contact that leads to the wearing down of the tooth enamel and eventually can affect deeper layers of the tooth. Acidic erosion, on the other hand, is caused by the direct contact of teeth with acidic substances, which can lead to the gradual loss of tooth structure over time. Dental caries refers to tooth decay caused by bacteria, abrasion involves wearing away of tooth structure due to external factors like improper brushing habits, and erosion specifically relates to the loss of tooth structure caused by acidic substances.