Oral Pathology and Radiology Flashcards
7 cards from real NBDE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Oral Pathology and Radiology flashcards as text
Geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis) is characterized histologically by:
Answer: Loss of filiform papillae with neutrophilic infiltration forming Munro microabscesses
Geographic tongue shows atrophy of filiform papillae and neutrophilic spongiform pustules (Munro microabscesses) resembling psoriasis histologically.
A child presents with a painless swelling at the angle of the mandible. CT shows a well-defined cystic lesion in the parotid region containing fat and skin appendages. The diagnosis is:
Answer: Dermoid cyst
A dermoid cyst contains ectodermal elements including hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and fat, differentiating it from epidermoid cysts which lack skin appendages.
The 'condensing osteitis' (focal sclerosing osteomyelitis) seen on periapical films is best described as:
Answer: Diffuse radiopacity at the apex of a tooth with pulpitis or necrosis
Condensing osteitis is a bony reaction to low-grade pulpal inflammation that appears as a diffuse periapical radiopacity, most often at mandibular first molar apices.
Sjögren syndrome causes xerostomia primarily due to:
Answer: Lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of acinar cells
In Sjögren syndrome, autoreactive T-cells infiltrate and destroy the secretory acinar cells of salivary and lacrimal glands, causing dry mouth and dry eyes.
Which radiographic appearance best describes a periapical granuloma versus a radicular cyst?
Answer: Granulomas and cysts cannot be reliably differentiated radiographically
Periapical granulomas and radicular cysts both appear as periapical radiolucencies and cannot be definitively distinguished radiographically — histologic examination is required.
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) is associated with multiple odontogenic cysts of which type?
Answer: Odontogenic keratocysts (keratocystic odontogenic tumors)
Gorlin syndrome is characterized by multiple odontogenic keratocysts (now called keratocystic odontogenic tumors), basal cell carcinomas, calcified falx cerebri, and skeletal anomalies.
A 60-year-old patient's panoramic radiograph shows a 'ground glass' generalized jaw opacity with loss of lamina dura and a 'cotton wool' appearance. This is classic for:
Answer: Paget disease of bone
Paget disease of the jaw shows a late-stage 'cotton wool' mixed radiolucent-opaque pattern from disordered bone remodeling, with loss of lamina dura and hypercementosis.