Oral histology and anatomy: sublingual gland: 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 histology and anatomy: sublingual gland

Sample item

A patient has a small lesion at the floor of the mouth near the sublingual fold. Which statement about the sublingual gland is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. It is predominantly mucous and opens through multiple small ducts, including the duct of Rivinus

The sublingual gland is mainly mucous and lies above the mylohyoid beneath the floor mucosa. It drains through numerous ducts of Rivinus and sometimes the duct of Bartholin joining Wharton's duct.

Option by option

  • A. It is predominantly mucous and opens through multiple small ducts, including the duct of Rivinus (correct)

    Correct. It is a mucous gland with multiple small ducts.

  • B. It lies superficial to the mylohyoid muscle below the mandible

    It lies above the mylohyoid, in contrast to the main part of the submandibular gland, which wraps around its posterior border.

  • C. It is purely serous and drains through Stensen's duct

    The purely serous gland draining by Stensen's duct is the parotid.

  • D. It secretes mainly into Wharton's duct

    Most sublingual ducts open separately on the sublingual fold; Wharton's duct belongs to the submandibular gland.

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 A, It is predominantly mucous and opens through multiple small ducts, including the duct of Rivinus. The sublingual gland is mainly mucous and lies above the mylohyoid beneath the floor mucosa.

Why is "It lies superficial to the mylohyoid muscle below the mandible" not the answer?

It lies above the mylohyoid, in contrast to the main part of the submandibular gland, which wraps around its posterior border.

Why is "It is purely serous and drains through Stensen's duct" not the answer?

The purely serous gland draining by Stensen's duct is the parotid.

Why is "It secretes mainly into Wharton's duct" not the answer?

Most sublingual ducts open separately on the sublingual fold; Wharton's duct belongs to the submandibular gland.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: sublingual gland in Dentistry. It drains through numerous ducts of Rivinus and sometimes the duct of Bartholin joining Wharton's duct.

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 histology and anatomy: sublingual gland?

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.