Oral anatomy: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Oral anatomy

Sample item

What is the main function of cementum?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Anchor periodontal ligament fibres to root

Cementum covers tooth root and provides attachment for periodontal ligament fibres, helping suspend the tooth within alveolar bone.

Option by option

  • A. Anchor periodontal ligament fibres to root (correct)

    Correct: PDL fibres insert into cementum.

  • B. Form enamel prisms

    Ameloblasts form enamel before eruption.

  • C. Transmit sound through ossicles

    Ossicles are middle-ear structures.

  • D. Produce saliva

    Saliva comes from salivary glands.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Anchor periodontal ligament fibres to root. Cementum covers tooth root and provides attachment for periodontal ligament fibres, helping suspend the tooth within alveolar bone.

Why is "Form enamel prisms" not the answer?

Ameloblasts form enamel before eruption.

Why is "Transmit sound through ossicles" not the answer?

Ossicles are middle-ear structures.

Why is "Produce saliva" not the answer?

Saliva comes from salivary glands.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral anatomy in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: PDL fibres insert into cementum.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Oral anatomy?

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.