Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: amyloid in Pindborg tumour: 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: amyloid in Pindborg tumour

Sample item

Sections of a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour contain homogeneous eosinophilic extracellular material thought to be amyloid-like. Which stain shows apple-green birefringence under polarised light?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Congo red

Amyloid is stained by Congo red and shows apple-green birefringence under polarised light. This amyloid-like material in the Pindborg tumour may calcify to form Liesegang rings. PAS stains glycogen, Alcian blue stains mucin and von Kossa stains calcium.

Option by option

  • A. Congo red (correct)

    Correct. Congo red with polarised light gives apple-green birefringence in amyloid.

  • B. Von Kossa

    Von Kossa stains calcium deposits.

  • C. Alcian blue

    Alcian blue stains acidic mucins.

  • D. Periodic acid-Schiff

    PAS stains glycogen and basement membranes, not amyloid.

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 A, Congo red. Amyloid is stained by Congo red and shows apple-green birefringence under polarised light.

Why is "Von Kossa" not the answer?

Von Kossa stains calcium deposits.

Why is "Alcian blue" not the answer?

Alcian blue stains acidic mucins.

Why is "Periodic acid-Schiff" not the answer?

PAS stains glycogen and basement membranes, not amyloid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: amyloid in Pindborg tumour in Dentistry. This amyloid-like material in the Pindborg tumour may calcify to form Liesegang rings. PAS stains glycogen, Alcian blue stains mucin and von Kossa stains calcium.

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: amyloid in Pindborg tumour?

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.