DDS Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which odontogenic cyst is most commonly associated with an impacted mandibular third molar?
- Radicular cyst
- Lateral periodontal cyst
- Dentigerous cyst (Correct answer)
- Odontogenic keratocyst
Correct answer: Dentigerous cyst
The dentigerous (follicular) cyst forms by fluid accumulation between the crown of an impacted tooth and its reduced enamel epithelium, most frequently around mandibular third molars.
Question 2: The term 'leukoplakia' in oral pathology refers to:
- Any white patch of the oral mucosa that cannot be wiped off and cannot be diagnosed as any other disease (Correct answer)
- A specific diagnosis of dysplastic epithelium
- White lesions caused exclusively by candidal infection
- Hyperkeratosis with no malignant potential
Correct answer: Any white patch of the oral mucosa that cannot be wiped off and cannot be diagnosed as any other disease
Leukoplakia is a clinical term for a white patch that cannot be rubbed off and cannot be characterized as any other definable disease, requiring biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
Question 3: Ameloblastoma is most commonly located in which area of the jaw?
- Anterior maxilla
- Posterior mandible (molar-ramus region) (Correct answer)
- Anterior mandible
- Posterior maxilla
Correct answer: Posterior mandible (molar-ramus region)
Approximately 80% of ameloblastomas occur in the mandible, with the majority in the posterior molar-ramus region.
Question 4: Which condition is characterized by numerous odontogenic keratocysts, basal cell carcinomas of the skin, and skeletal anomalies?
- Gardner syndrome
- Gorlin syndrome (Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome) (Correct answer)
- Cowden syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Correct answer: Gorlin syndrome (Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome)
Gorlin syndrome (NBCCS) is caused by PTCH1 mutations and classically presents with multiple OKCs, basal cell carcinomas, calcified falx cerebri, and bifid ribs.
Question 5: Which virus is most strongly associated with hairy leukoplakia of the lateral tongue in immunocompromised patients?
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (Correct answer)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
Correct answer: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Hairy leukoplakia is caused by EBV replication in superficial epithelial cells and is a marker of significant immune suppression, especially in HIV-positive patients.
Question 6: Erythema multiforme affecting the oral mucosa characteristically presents as:
- Raised white plaques on the buccal mucosa
- Target or iris lesions with hemorrhagic crusting of the lips (Correct answer)
- Punched-out ulcers on attached gingiva
- Vesicles along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve
Correct answer: Target or iris lesions with hemorrhagic crusting of the lips
Oral erythema multiforme classically shows hemorrhagic crusting and ulceration of the lips with target lesions on the skin, often triggered by HSV.
DDS Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine 1
Which odontogenic cyst is most commonly associated with an impacted mandibular third molar?