Paediatric dentistry: ankyloglossia: 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 · Paediatric dentistry: ankyloglossia

Sample item

A breastfeeding infant has a heart-shaped tongue tip on protrusion and cannot extend the tongue beyond the lower incisors, causing latch difficulty. What is the condition?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ankyloglossia (short lingual frenulum)

Ankyloglossia is a short or tight lingual frenulum that restricts tongue movement. Frenotomy is considered when it causes feeding or speech problems.

Option by option

  • A. Ankyloglossia (short lingual frenulum) (correct)

    Correct. A tight frenulum limits protrusion.

  • B. Cleft tongue

    Cleft tongue is a rare developmental fissure.

  • C. Macroglossia

    Macroglossia is an enlarged tongue.

  • D. Hypoglossal nerve palsy

    Hypoglossal palsy causes deviation and weakness.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Ankyloglossia (short lingual frenulum). Ankyloglossia is a short or tight lingual frenulum that restricts tongue movement.

Why is "Cleft tongue" not the answer?

Cleft tongue is a rare developmental fissure.

Why is "Macroglossia" not the answer?

Macroglossia is an enlarged tongue.

Why is "Hypoglossal nerve palsy" not the answer?

Hypoglossal palsy causes deviation and weakness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric dentistry: ankyloglossia in Dentistry. Frenotomy is considered when it causes feeding or speech problems.

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 Paediatric dentistry: ankyloglossia?

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.