Dental anatomy: periodontal fibres: 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 · Dental anatomy: periodontal fibres

Sample item

Collagen fibres of the periodontal ligament embedded in cementum and alveolar bone are known by which name?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sharpey's fibres

The principal fibres of the periodontal ligament insert into cementum and alveolar bone as Sharpey's fibres, anchoring the tooth. Tomes' fibres are odontoblastic processes and Korff's fibres are collagen bundles in the dental pulp-predentin zone.

Option by option

  • A. Oxytalan fibres

    Oxytalan fibres are elastic-type fibres in the ligament, not the anchoring collagen.

  • B. Korff's fibres

    Korff's fibres are collagen bundles of developing dentin.

  • C. Tomes' fibres

    Tomes' fibres are odontoblast processes in dentin.

  • D. Sharpey's fibres (correct)

    Correct. They anchor the ligament to cementum and bone.

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 D, Sharpey's fibres. The principal fibres of the periodontal ligament insert into cementum and alveolar bone as Sharpey's fibres, anchoring the tooth.

Why is "Oxytalan fibres" not the answer?

Oxytalan fibres are elastic-type fibres in the ligament, not the anchoring collagen.

Why is "Korff's fibres" not the answer?

Korff's fibres are collagen bundles of developing dentin.

Why is "Tomes' fibres" not the answer?

Tomes' fibres are odontoblast processes in dentin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental anatomy: periodontal fibres in Dentistry. Tomes' fibres are odontoblastic processes and Korff's fibres are collagen bundles in the dental pulp-predentin zone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Dental anatomy: periodontal fibres?

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.