Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: acanthomatous ameloblastoma: 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 · Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: acanthomatous ameloblastoma

Sample item

A jaw tumour shows ameloblastoma islands in which the central stellate reticulum-like cells have undergone squamous metaplasia with keratin formation. Which histological variant is this?

ABasaloidBGranular cellCDesmoplasticDAcanthomatous

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acanthomatous

The acanthomatous pattern shows squamous metaplasia, sometimes with keratin pearls, in the centre of the islands. The granular cell variant shows cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. The desmoplastic variant has dense collagenous stroma, and the basaloid variant has a basal cell-like pattern.

Option by option

A. Basaloid
The basaloid type shows densely packed basal-like cells with little stellate reticulum.
B. Granular cell
The granular cell type has cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm.
C. Desmoplastic
The desmoplastic type has narrow islands in a dense collagenous stroma.
D. Acanthomatous (correct)
Correct. Squamous metaplasia with keratin in the island centres defines this variant.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Acanthomatous. The acanthomatous pattern shows squamous metaplasia, sometimes with keratin pearls, in the centre of the islands.

Why is "Basaloid" not the answer?

The basaloid type shows densely packed basal-like cells with little stellate reticulum.

Why is "Granular cell" not the answer?

The granular cell type has cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm.

Why is "Desmoplastic" not the answer?

The desmoplastic type has narrow islands in a dense collagenous stroma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: acanthomatous ameloblastoma in Dentistry. The granular cell variant shows cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. The desmoplastic variant has dense collagenous stroma, and the basaloid variant has a basal cell-like pattern.

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: acanthomatous ameloblastoma?

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.