The panoramic radiograph landmark that appears as a round or ovoid radiolucent area lateral to the glenoid fossa and condyle is most likely the:

• A. External auditory meatus
• B. Stylomastoid foramen
• C. Zygomatic process
• D. Mastoid air cell

Answer: (A)

On panoramic radiographs, air-filled spaces appear as radiolucent (dark) areas. The external auditory meatus—the ear canal—lies just lateral to the temporomandibular joint, near the glenoid fossa and condyle. It shows up as a round or oval dark area with a thin radiopaque rim from surrounding bone, making it a clear, recognizable landmark in that region. The other structures don’t present as that distinctive round radiolucent pocket in the same location: the stylomastoid foramen is a small opening not typically visible as a prominent round dark area; the zygomatic process usually appears as a radiopaque bony contour; and mastoid air cells are posterior to the ear region and can vary in appearance, not the characteristic round lucency lateral to the condyle.