Oral & Dental Pathology Flashcards
6 cards from real MJDF practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Oral & Dental Pathology flashcards as text
What is the clinical significance of white sponge naevus?
Answer: A benign hereditary (autosomal dominant) condition with bilateral white folds — no treatment needed, must be distinguished from malignancy
White sponge naevus is a benign autosomal dominant condition (keratin 4/13 mutations) causing bilateral white spongy folds of the oral mucosa; it is clinically important as it must be differentiated from leukoplakia and other conditions.
What causes geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis)?
Answer: Unknown aetiology; characterised by atrophic migratory areas with red patches and white borders — benign
Geographic tongue has an unknown but likely multifactorial aetiology; it presents as migratory erythematous patches (atrophic filiform papillae) with white/yellow borders and is a benign condition.
Which neoplasm is most commonly associated with the submandibular gland?
Answer: Pleomorphic adenoma (most common) but with a higher malignancy rate than parotid
Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common submandibular gland tumour, but unlike the parotid, a higher proportion of submandibular gland tumours are malignant, making biopsy and assessment more critical.
What is the most common type of bone pathology found on routine dental radiographs in adults over 50?
Answer: Condensing osteitis (focal sclerosing osteomyelitis)
Condensing osteitis (focal sclerosing osteomyelitis) is the most commonly encountered incidental jaw bone lesion in adults, appearing as a well-defined radiopaque area at the apex of a tooth with low-grade pulpal inflammation.
What is Fordyce spots and its clinical significance?
Answer: Ectopic sebaceous glands visible as yellow spots on buccal mucosa/lips — normal variant, no treatment
Fordyce spots are ectopic (misplaced) sebaceous glands appearing as multiple small yellowish spots on buccal mucosa and lips; they are a normal anatomical variant seen in about 80% of adults.
Which investigation is the gold standard for diagnosing oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs)?
Answer: Incisional biopsy with histological examination (grading of dysplasia)
Incisional biopsy with histopathological assessment of epithelial dysplasia grade (mild, moderate, severe) is the definitive diagnostic gold standard for OPMDs, guiding management and surveillance intervals.