Dental materials and radiology basics: panoramic ghost image: 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 · Dental materials and radiology basics: panoramic ghost image

Sample item

A panoramic radiograph of a patient wearing a metal earring on the left shows a blurred radiopacity on the right ramus region, higher than the true object and enlarged. What is this artefact?

AForeshortening of the mandibular ramusBA cone-cutting errorCA ghost image on the opposite sideDA double image of the right condyle

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. A ghost image on the opposite side

A ghost image forms when a dense object lies in the path of the beam, between the source and the rotation centre, and its image is projected on the opposite side. It appears higher, blurred and enlarged. Removing jewellery before exposure avoids it.

Option by option

A. Foreshortening of the mandibular ramus
Foreshortening shortens an object and does not create an extra shadow.
B. A cone-cutting error
Cone cutting is seen in intraoral films as an unexposed clear area.
C. A ghost image on the opposite side (correct)
Correct. The dense object projects a blurred opposite-side image higher than the object.
D. A double image of the right condyle
A double condyle image is not caused by an earring.

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 C, A ghost image on the opposite side. A ghost image forms when a dense object lies in the path of the beam, between the source and the rotation centre, and its image is projected on the opposite side.

Why is "Foreshortening of the mandibular ramus" not the answer?

Foreshortening shortens an object and does not create an extra shadow.

Why is "A cone-cutting error" not the answer?

Cone cutting is seen in intraoral films as an unexposed clear area.

Why is "A double image of the right condyle" not the answer?

A double condyle image is not caused by an earring.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology basics: panoramic ghost image in Dentistry. It appears higher, blurred and enlarged. Removing jewellery before exposure avoids it.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Dental materials and radiology basics: panoramic ghost image?

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.