Oral pathology: odontogenic keratocyst: 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: odontogenic keratocyst

Sample item

A young man has multiple jaw cysts, palmar pits, bifid ribs and several basal cell carcinomas. Which jaw lesion is characteristic of this syndrome?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Odontogenic keratocyst

This is Gorlin (basal cell nevus) syndrome caused by PTCH1 mutation. Multiple odontogenic keratocysts, lined by parakeratinised epithelium with a high recurrence rate, are its hallmark jaw finding.

Option by option

  • A. Radicular cyst

    Radicular cysts are inflammatory and not syndromic.

  • B. Nasopalatine duct cyst

    Nasopalatine duct cysts are developmental fissural cysts without syndromic association.

  • C. Odontogenic keratocyst (correct)

    Correct. Multiple keratocysts are the jaw feature of Gorlin syndrome.

  • D. Dentigerous cyst

    Dentigerous cysts are not a feature of this syndrome.

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 C, Odontogenic keratocyst. This is Gorlin (basal cell nevus) syndrome caused by PTCH1 mutation.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

Radicular cysts are inflammatory and not syndromic.

Why is "Nasopalatine duct cyst" not the answer?

Nasopalatine duct cysts are developmental fissural cysts without syndromic association.

Why is "Dentigerous cyst" not the answer?

Dentigerous cysts are not a feature of this syndrome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: odontogenic keratocyst in Dentistry. Multiple odontogenic keratocysts, lined by parakeratinised epithelium with a high recurrence rate, are its hallmark jaw finding.

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: odontogenic keratocyst?

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.