Oral histology and anatomy: attached gingiva: 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: attached gingiva

Sample item

A clinical photograph shows pink, firm gingiva with an orange-peel surface texture, bound tightly to underlying bone. Which part of the gingiva is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Attached gingiva

Attached gingiva is firmly bound to bone and cementum and shows stippling in health. Alveolar mucosa lying beyond the mucogingival junction is red, smooth and mobile.

Option by option

  • A. Attached gingiva (correct)

    Correct. Stippling and firm attachment identify attached gingiva.

  • B. Interdental col

    The col is a valley-like depression between buccal and lingual papillae.

  • C. Free gingival margin

    The free gingival margin is a mobile cuff that is not bound to the tooth surface.

  • D. Alveolar mucosa

    Alveolar mucosa is loose, shiny and non-keratinised without stippling.

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, Attached gingiva. Attached gingiva is firmly bound to bone and cementum and shows stippling in health.

Why is "Interdental col" not the answer?

The col is a valley-like depression between buccal and lingual papillae.

Why is "Free gingival margin" not the answer?

The free gingival margin is a mobile cuff that is not bound to the tooth surface.

Why is "Alveolar mucosa" not the answer?

Alveolar mucosa is loose, shiny and non-keratinised without stippling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: attached gingiva in Dentistry. Alveolar mucosa lying beyond the mucogingival junction is red, smooth and mobile.

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: attached gingiva?

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.