---
title: A 27-year-old man with pain, fever, marked swelling in the jaw, and inability to open mouth
description: It's Swollen Jaw Quiz Time with Med-Challenger!
---

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# [A 27-year-old man with pain, fever, marked swelling in the jaw, and inability to open mouth](https://challengercme.com/blog/a-27-year-old-man-with-pain-fever-marked-swelling-in-the-jaw-and-inability-to-open-mouth)

 Written by [Med-Challenger](https://challengercme.com/blog/author/med-challenger) | Jan 26, 2025 3:15:00 PM

A 27-year-old man is admitted with pain, fever, marked swelling in the jaw, and an inability to open his mouth for 14 hours. His temperature is 102.8°F, pulse is 100 beats/minute, blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, and respiratory rate is 23 breaths/minute. Mouth opening is limited. There is prominent induration of the swelling in the mandible (see figure).

The most likely origin of this patient’s condition is which of the following?

- peritonsillar abscess
- odontogenic infection
- infectious thyroiditis
- suppurative parotitis

 

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