Paul has limited jaw motion, distortion of facial features, and numbness to his face. The EMR suspects ________.

The symptoms described—limited jaw motion, distortion of facial features, and numbness to the face—are indicative of potential fractures of the facial bones. When facial bones are fractured, it can lead to a significant alteration in the structure of the face, resulting in visible distortion. Additionally, the limited motion of the jaw is common as fractures can impact the ability to open or move the mouth properly. Numbness may occur if the fracture impacts areas where nerves are located, leading to sensory changes in the face.

While other options might also relate to facial injuries, they do not encapsulate the combination of symptoms as effectively as the possibility of facial bone fractures. For instance, temporomandibular joint disorder typically presents with pain, clicking, or locking of the jaw, but not necessarily with facial distortion or significant numbness. Soft tissue injuries may cause swelling and pain but would not explain the numbness or visible distortion of facial features. Buccal lacerations refer to injuries inside the cheek and would primarily present with pain and perhaps bleeding, but again, not with the complete symptom profile shown in this scenario. Therefore, the suspicion of fractures of the facial bones aligns most closely with the signs and symptoms presented.