Tooth development: bell stage: 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 · Tooth development: bell stage

Sample item

In which stage of tooth development does the enamel organ show a stratum intermedium layer and histodifferentiation begins?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Bell stage

The bell stage has four enamel organ layers: outer enamel epithelium, stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium and inner enamel epithelium. Ameloblasts and odontoblasts differentiate at this stage.

Option by option

  • A. Cap stage

    The cap stage has outer and inner epithelium and stellate reticulum but no stratum intermedium.

  • B. Bud stage

    The bud stage is a simple epithelial proliferation.

  • C. Bell stage (correct)

    Correct. The stratum intermedium appears at the bell stage.

  • D. Apposition stage

    Apposition is the laying down of matrix after bell-stage differentiation.

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, Bell stage. The bell stage has four enamel organ layers: outer enamel epithelium, stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium and inner enamel epithelium.

Why is "Cap stage" not the answer?

The cap stage has outer and inner epithelium and stellate reticulum but no stratum intermedium.

Why is "Bud stage" not the answer?

The bud stage is a simple epithelial proliferation.

Why is "Apposition stage" not the answer?

Apposition is the laying down of matrix after bell-stage differentiation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development: bell stage in Dentistry. Ameloblasts and odontoblasts differentiate at this stage.

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 Tooth development: bell stage?

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.