Identification: sex from teeth: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Identification: sex from teeth

Sample item

Which tooth shows the greatest difference in size between males and females and is therefore most useful for sex determination from teeth?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mandibular canine

The canines, especially the mandibular canine, are the most sexually dimorphic teeth, being larger in males. Their dimensions are used in the canine index, and they also survive well in burnt and decomposed remains.

Option by option

  • A. Mandibular canine (correct)

    Correct. The mandibular canine is the most dimorphic tooth.

  • B. Second molar

    The second molar is not a major sex indicator.

  • C. First premolar

    The first premolar shows less dimorphism than the canine.

  • D. Maxillary central incisor

    The maxillary central incisor shows little sex difference.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Mandibular canine. The canines, especially the mandibular canine, are the most sexually dimorphic teeth, being larger in males.

Why is "Second molar" not the answer?

The second molar is not a major sex indicator.

Why is "First premolar" not the answer?

The first premolar shows less dimorphism than the canine.

Why is "Maxillary central incisor" not the answer?

The maxillary central incisor shows little sex difference.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: sex from teeth in Forensic Medicine. Their dimensions are used in the canine index, and they also survive well in burnt and decomposed remains.

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 Identification: sex from teeth?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.