General and Oral Pathology Flashcards

Which oral lesion is characterized by a white, non-wipeable plaque that cannot be attributed to any other condition and carries a risk of malignant transformation?

Answer: Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is defined as a white patch that cannot be rubbed off and cannot be classified as any other diagnosable disease, and it carries a risk of malignant transformation.

A patient presents with a painless, slow-growing swelling on the palate that is firm on palpation and has been present for years. This description is most consistent with which salivary gland tumor?

Answer: Pleomorphic adenoma

Pleomorphic adenoma (benign mixed tumor) is the most common salivary gland tumor and presents as a slow-growing, painless, firm mass, most often on the palate among minor salivary gland sites.

Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is responsible for anaphylaxis following administration of penicillin?

Answer: Type I (IgE-mediated)

Anaphylaxis is a Type I (immediate) hypersensitivity reaction mediated by IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils, triggering rapid release of histamine and other mediators.

Oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by which virus and is strongly associated with immunosuppression?

Answer: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

Oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and is most commonly seen in HIV-positive individuals as a marker of immunosuppression.

A bluish, dome-shaped fluctuant nodule located on the lower lip mucosa is most likely which pathological entity?

Answer: Mucocele

A mucocele is caused by rupture of a minor salivary gland duct with mucous extravasation into surrounding tissue, appearing as a bluish, fluctuant swelling most often on the lower lip.

Which systemic disease is most commonly associated with the oral manifestation of 'burning mouth syndrome' (BMS)?

Answer: Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the systemic conditions most commonly associated with burning mouth syndrome, along with nutritional deficiencies and hormonal changes.

The Wickham's striae pattern of fine white lace-like lines on the buccal mucosa is characteristic of which condition?

Answer: Lichen planus

Wickham's striae — interlacing white lines on the buccal mucosa — are pathognomonic of oral lichen planus, an immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease.

Which pathological process describes irreversible pulpal necrosis resulting from ischemia after traumatic injury to the tooth?

Answer: Pulp necrosis

Pulp necrosis is the death of pulpal tissue due to ischemia (loss of blood supply), often following trauma that severs the apical vessels, making it irreversible.

A patient with Sjögren's syndrome is at highest risk for which oral complication?

Answer: Rapid rampant dental caries

Sjögren's syndrome causes severe xerostomia due to autoimmune destruction of salivary glands, dramatically increasing the risk of rapid rampant dental caries from loss of saliva's protective effects.

Which type of cyst is derived from the reduced enamel epithelium and surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth?

Answer: Dentigerous cyst

A dentigerous (follicular) cyst develops from the reduced enamel epithelium that surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth, attaching at the cementoenamel junction.

Erythroplakia is considered more clinically significant than leukoplakia because it has a higher rate of:

Answer: Malignant transformation

Erythroplakia (red velvety patches) has a significantly higher rate of malignant transformation than leukoplakia, with the majority of lesions showing dysplasia or carcinoma on biopsy.

Which condition is characterized by bilateral, painful oral ulcers affecting the non-keratinized mucosa, often recurring monthly, and is NOT associated with trauma?

Answer: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis presents as recurrent, painful ulcers on non-keratinized mucosa (e.g., buccal and labial mucosa), cycling approximately monthly, without a confirmed infectious etiology.

An exophytic nodule of fibrous connective tissue on the gingiva caused by chronic low-grade irritation is best termed:

Answer: Irritation fibroma

An irritation fibroma (traumatic fibroma) is a reactive hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue in response to chronic irritation, appearing as a smooth, sessile or pedunculated nodule.

Which radiographic appearance is most consistent with a periapical abscess?

Answer: Diffuse radiolucency at the root apex

A periapical abscess typically appears as an ill-defined, diffuse radiolucency at the root apex due to acute bone destruction without time for reactive bone formation.

Which autoimmune blistering disease is characterized by suprabasilar acantholysis and positive Nikolsky's sign in the oral cavity?

Answer: Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris involves autoantibodies against desmoglein proteins causing suprabasilar acantholysis, and the Nikolsky's sign (separation of epithelium with lateral pressure) is positive.

Paget's disease of bone affecting the jaw would most likely produce which radiographic finding?

Answer: 'Cotton wool' appearance

Paget's disease causes disorganized bone remodeling that radiographically produces a characteristic 'cotton wool' or 'cotton ball' pattern of mixed radiopaque and radiolucent areas.

A patient with Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) may exhibit which distinctive oral finding?

Answer: Multifocal melanin pigmentation

Addison's disease causes elevated ACTH, which stimulates melanocytes, resulting in diffuse or focal melanin hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa, particularly the buccal mucosa and gingiva.

Which feature differentiates a pyogenic granuloma from an irritation fibroma clinically and histologically?

Answer: High vascularity and tendency to bleed

Pyogenic granuloma is highly vascular with numerous blood vessels and bleeds easily upon probing or pressure, distinguishing it from the relatively avascular irritation fibroma.

Fordyce spots in the oral cavity represent which anatomical variant?

Answer: Sebaceous glands without associated hair follicles

Fordyce spots are ectopic sebaceous glands (without hair follicles) found in the oral mucosa, appearing as yellowish, asymptomatic spots on the buccal mucosa and lips — a normal anatomical variant.

Which condition involves replacement of normal stratified squamous epithelium by columnar-type epithelium in response to chronic irritation, representing a form of metaplasia?

Answer: Squamous metaplasia

Squamous metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another (often columnar to squamous) in response to chronic irritation or environmental stress, representing an adaptive but reversible cellular change.