Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: periapical granuloma: 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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: periapical granuloma

Sample item

A non-vital tooth is extracted with a soft tissue mass at the root tip. Histology shows granulation tissue with lymphocytes and plasma cells and proliferating epithelial rests, but no epithelium-lined cavity and no pus. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Periapical granuloma

A periapical granuloma is chronic inflammatory granulation tissue at the apex of a non-vital tooth. A radicular cyst has an epithelium-lined cavity, an abscess is a collection of pus, and cemental dysplasia occurs at the apices of vital teeth.

Option by option

  • A. Periapical abscess

    An abscess contains a collection of pus with neutrophils and tissue breakdown.

  • B. Periapical cemental dysplasia

    Cemental dysplasia is a fibro-osseous change at vital teeth, not a response to necrosis.

  • C. Periapical granuloma (correct)

    Correct. Chronic inflammatory granulation tissue without a lined cavity is a granuloma.

  • D. Radicular cyst

    A radicular cyst needs a cavity lined by epithelium and filled with fluid.

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 C, Periapical granuloma. A periapical granuloma is chronic inflammatory granulation tissue at the apex of a non-vital tooth.

Why is "Periapical abscess" not the answer?

An abscess contains a collection of pus with neutrophils and tissue breakdown.

Why is "Periapical cemental dysplasia" not the answer?

Cemental dysplasia is a fibro-osseous change at vital teeth, not a response to necrosis.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

A radicular cyst needs a cavity lined by epithelium and filled with fluid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: periapical granuloma in Dentistry. A radicular cyst has an epithelium-lined cavity, an abscess is a collection of pus, and cemental dysplasia occurs at the apices of vital teeth.

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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: periapical granuloma?

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.