Dental Terminology & Anatomy Flashcards

Which term describes the abnormal positioning of teeth outside the dental arch?

Answer: Ectopic eruption

Ectopic eruption occurs when a tooth erupts in an abnormal position, potentially causing resorption of adjacent teeth.

What is 'Stensen's duct' in dental anatomy?

Answer: The duct of the parotid salivary gland opening near the maxillary second molar

Stensen's duct (parotid duct) carries saliva from the parotid gland, emptying into the oral cavity opposite the maxillary second molar.

The term 'fremitus' in periodontal assessment refers to:

Answer: Vibration or movement felt in a tooth when occlusal forces are applied

Fremitus is the tactile vibration or movement detected in a tooth during occlusal contact, indicating occlusal trauma.

What is 'gemination' in dental terminology?

Answer: An attempt by a single tooth bud to divide, resulting in a tooth with two crowns and one root

Gemination is when a single tooth bud attempts to split, producing a tooth with two crowns (or a large bifid crown) sharing a single root and pulp.

Which landmark is the 'pterygomandibular raphe' used as a guide for in dentistry?

Answer: Identifying the injection site for inferior alveolar nerve blocks

The pterygomandibular raphe is the key anatomical landmark for locating the needle insertion point when administering an inferior alveolar nerve block.

What does the suffix '-plasty' indicate in dental procedure terminology?

Answer: Surgical reshaping or reconstruction of a structure

The suffix '-plasty' means surgical reshaping or reconstruction, as in gingivoplasty (reshaping of the gingiva) or alveoloplasty (reshaping of the alveolar ridge).

The 'lamina dura' visible on dental radiographs represents:

Answer: The compact bone lining the tooth socket (alveolus)

The lamina dura is the thin layer of dense cortical bone lining the tooth socket, appearing as a white line around the root on radiographs.