Dental materials and radiology: Stafne bone cavity: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Dental materials and radiology: Stafne bone cavity

Sample item

An OPG of a middle-aged man shows a well-defined oval radiolucency below the mandibular canal near the angle, in a patient with no symptoms. What is the likely cause?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lingual salivary gland depression in the mandible

Stafne bone cavity is a developmental depression on the lingual surface housing salivary gland tissue and does not need treatment. It lies below the inferior alveolar canal.

Option by option

  • A. Radicular cyst

    A radicular cyst is related to a non-vital tooth apex.

  • B. Lingual salivary gland depression in the mandible (correct)

    Correct. A static lingual cortical defect with gland tissue explains it.

  • C. Ameloblastoma

    Ameloblastoma expands bone and is multilocular.

  • D. Metastasis

    Metastasis would be destructive with a poor border.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Lingual salivary gland depression in the mandible. Stafne bone cavity is a developmental depression on the lingual surface housing salivary gland tissue and does not need treatment.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

A radicular cyst is related to a non-vital tooth apex.

Why is "Ameloblastoma" not the answer?

Ameloblastoma expands bone and is multilocular.

Why is "Metastasis" not the answer?

Metastasis would be destructive with a poor border.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology: Stafne bone cavity in Dentistry. It lies below the inferior alveolar canal.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental materials and radiology: Stafne bone cavity?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.