CDC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible to which cranial bone?
- Temporal bone (Correct answer)
- Frontal bone
- Parietal bone
- Occipital bone
Correct answer: Temporal bone
The TMJ is the articulation between the mandibular condyle and the temporal bone of the skull.
Question 2: In medical terminology, 'sublingual' means:
- Under the tongue (Correct answer)
- Above the palate
- Behind the lip
- Within the cheek
Correct answer: Under the tongue
Sublingual means beneath the tongue; 'sub-' means under and 'lingual' pertains to the tongue.
Question 3: The mandible is the only movable bone in the:
- Skull (Correct answer)
- Vertebral column
- Thorax
- Shoulder girdle
Correct answer: Skull
The mandible (lower jaw) is the only bone of the skull that moves during functions like chewing and speaking.
Question 4: The term 'alveolar' in dental contexts refers to structures associated with the:
- Tooth socket in the jawbone (Correct answer)
- Salivary glands
- Enamel layer
- Pulp chamber
Correct answer: Tooth socket in the jawbone
Alveolar pertains to the alveolus, the bony socket in the jaw that houses the tooth root.
Question 5: Which term describes the cheek-facing surface of a posterior tooth?
- Buccal (Correct answer)
- Lingual
- Occlusal
- Mesial
Correct answer: Buccal
The buccal surface faces the cheek (buccinator muscle), while the lingual surface faces the tongue.
Question 6: The prefix 'hyper-' as used in 'hyperemia' means:
- Excessive or above normal (Correct answer)
- Below normal
- Without
- Between
Correct answer: Excessive or above normal
Hyper- means excessive or above normal, so hyperemia refers to excess blood in a part of the body.
Question 7: In dental ceramics, understanding the anatomical term 'contour' is important because it refers to the:
- Shape and surface outline of the restoration (Correct answer)
- Color gradient of the ceramic
- Depth of the margin preparation
- Occlusal contact pattern
Correct answer: Shape and surface outline of the restoration
Contour describes the shape and outline of a tooth or restoration, critical for proper form and function.
CDC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible to which cranial bone?