EFDA Anatomy and Occlusion 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which anatomical landmark on the palate is a reliable reference point that does NOT move with soft tissue changes?
- Fovea palatinae
- Vibrating line
- Incisive papilla (Correct answer)
- Hamular notch
Correct answer: Incisive papilla
The incisive papilla overlies the incisive foramen and is a stable bony landmark used for positioning complete denture teeth.
Question 2: In centric occlusion, the mandibular buccal cusps occlude in which fossae of the maxillary posterior teeth?
- Central fossae (Correct answer)
- Buccal fossae
- Lingual fossae
- Distal fossae
Correct answer: Central fossae
The mandibular buccal cusps (centric holding cusps) occlude in the central fossae of the maxillary posterior teeth in ideal centric occlusion.
Question 3: The Frankfort plane is used as a horizontal reference and passes through which landmarks?
- Nasion, sella, and articulare
- Porion and orbitale (Correct answer)
- ANS and PNS
- Menton and gonion
Correct answer: Porion and orbitale
The Frankfort horizontal plane passes through the porion (top of external auditory meatus) and orbitale (lowest point of the orbital rim).
Question 4: Which type of occlusal contact during lateral excursion involves only the canines on the working side?
- Group function
- Balanced occlusion
- Canine guidance (Correct answer)
- Protrusive guidance
Correct answer: Canine guidance
Canine guidance (canine-protected occlusion) means only the canines contact on the working side during lateral movement, disoccluding all posterior teeth.
Question 5: The alveolar process is unique because it:
- Is composed entirely of cortical bone
- Forms and resorbs in response to tooth presence (Correct answer)
- Contains no blood vessels
- Is attached directly to the mandibular symphysis
Correct answer: Forms and resorbs in response to tooth presence
The alveolar process is tooth-dependent bone that develops with tooth eruption and resorbs following tooth loss.
Question 6: Which salivary gland produces the most serous (watery) saliva and has its duct (Stensen's duct) opening near the maxillary second molar?
- Sublingual gland
- Submandibular gland
- Parotid gland (Correct answer)
- Minor salivary glands
Correct answer: Parotid gland
The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and produces primarily serous saliva, draining via Stensen's duct opposite the maxillary second molar.
Question 7: The term 'overjet' refers to the horizontal distance measured between:
- The occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth
- The facial surface of mandibular incisors and the lingual surface of maxillary incisors (Correct answer)
- The incisal edges of upper and lower incisors vertically
- The midlines of the maxillary and mandibular arches
Correct answer: The facial surface of mandibular incisors and the lingual surface of maxillary incisors
Overjet is the horizontal overlap of the maxillary incisors beyond the mandibular incisors, measured from the facial surface of lower incisors to the lingual surface of upper incisors.
EFDA Anatomy and Occlusion 3
Which anatomical landmark on the palate is a reliable reference point that does NOT move with soft tissue changes?