Oral cavity: median rhomboid glossitis: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Oral cavity: median rhomboid glossitis

Sample item

A diabetic man using inhaled steroids has a smooth, red, rhomboid depapillated area in the midline of the posterior dorsum of the tongue. What is the diagnosis and cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Median rhomboid glossitis, a form of chronic candidiasis

Median rhomboid glossitis is a depapillated rhomboid area anterior to the circumvallate papillae, and is now regarded as chronic atrophic candidiasis, more common in diabetics and smokers. It was formerly attributed to persistence of the tuberculum impar. Antifungal treatment resolves it.

Option by option

  • A. Geographic tongue

    Geographic tongue is migratory.

  • B. Lingual thyroid

    Lingual thyroid is a nodular mass at the foramen caecum.

  • C. Tongue carcinoma

    Carcinoma is ulcerated and indurated.

  • D. Median rhomboid glossitis, a form of chronic candidiasis (correct)

    Correct. It is associated with candidal infection.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Median rhomboid glossitis, a form of chronic candidiasis. Median rhomboid glossitis is a depapillated rhomboid area anterior to the circumvallate papillae, and is now regarded as chronic atrophic candidiasis, more common in diabetics and smokers.

Why is "Geographic tongue" not the answer?

Geographic tongue is migratory.

Why is "Lingual thyroid" not the answer?

Lingual thyroid is a nodular mass at the foramen caecum.

Why is "Tongue carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma is ulcerated and indurated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral cavity: median rhomboid glossitis in ENT. It was formerly attributed to persistence of the tuberculum impar. Antifungal treatment resolves it.

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 cavity: median rhomboid glossitis?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.