Oral medicine and oral cancer: median rhomboid glossitis: 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 medicine and oral cancer: median rhomboid glossitis

Sample item

An asymptomatic smooth red diamond-shaped patch lacking papillae lies on the midline dorsum of the tongue in front of the circumvallate papillae in a smoker using inhaled steroids. What is the usual cause?

ASyphilitic gummaBMalignant changeCDevelopmental remnant of the thyroglossal ductDChronic candidal infection

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chronic candidal infection

Median rhomboid glossitis is now regarded as a chronic erythematous candidiasis. It is associated with smoking, dentures and inhaled steroids, and it responds to antifungals.

Option by option

A. Syphilitic gumma
Gummas are destructive and appear in tertiary syphilis, usually on the palate.
B. Malignant change
It is a benign lesion, not a cancer, although biopsy can be done for atypia.
C. Developmental remnant of the thyroglossal duct
It was formerly thought to be developmental, but this theory is outdated.
D. Chronic candidal infection (correct)
Correct. Chronic candidal infection is the accepted cause.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, Chronic candidal infection. Median rhomboid glossitis is now regarded as a chronic erythematous candidiasis.

Why is "Syphilitic gumma" not the answer?

Gummas are destructive and appear in tertiary syphilis, usually on the palate.

Why is "Malignant change" not the answer?

It is a benign lesion, not a cancer, although biopsy can be done for atypia.

Why is "Developmental remnant of the thyroglossal duct" not the answer?

It was formerly thought to be developmental, but this theory is outdated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: median rhomboid glossitis in Dentistry. It is associated with smoking, dentures and inhaled steroids, and it responds to antifungals.

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 medicine and oral cancer: median rhomboid glossitis?

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.