Oral histology and anatomy: lingual thyroid: 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: lingual thyroid

Sample item

A 20-year-old woman has dysphagia and a smooth midline mass at the base of the tongue behind the foramen caecum. What should be done before any excision?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Radioisotope thyroid scan to see if it is the only functioning thyroid tissue

A lingual thyroid is failure of descent of the thyroid and often the patient's only functioning thyroid tissue. A technetium or iodine scan shows whether a normal gland is present in the neck. If it is not, excision would cause hypothyroidism, so the tissue should be preserved or transplanted.

Option by option

  • A. Start antituberculous therapy

    The mass is developmental and not tuberculous.

  • B. Immediate wide excision

    Excision without scanning may leave the patient hypothyroid.

  • C. Radioisotope thyroid scan to see if it is the only functioning thyroid tissue (correct)

    Correct. Scanning confirms whether this is the only functioning thyroid tissue.

  • D. Fine needle aspiration of the neck nodes

    Neck node aspiration does not address a midline developmental mass.

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 C, Radioisotope thyroid scan to see if it is the only functioning thyroid tissue. A lingual thyroid is failure of descent of the thyroid and often the patient's only functioning thyroid tissue.

Why is "Start antituberculous therapy" not the answer?

The mass is developmental and not tuberculous.

Why is "Immediate wide excision" not the answer?

Excision without scanning may leave the patient hypothyroid.

Why is "Fine needle aspiration of the neck nodes" not the answer?

Neck node aspiration does not address a midline developmental mass.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: lingual thyroid in Dentistry. A technetium or iodine scan shows whether a normal gland is present in the neck. If it is not, excision would cause hypothyroidism, so the tissue should be preserved or transplanted.

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 Oral histology and anatomy: lingual thyroid?

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.