Oral histology and anatomy: pulp pain fibres: 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: pulp pain fibres

Sample item

A man has a dull, throbbing, lingering pain from a deeply carious molar that persists for minutes after a hot stimulus and wakes him at night. Which fibres mainly carry this pain?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Unmyelinated C fibres in the pulp core

A-delta fibres near the dentine produce sharp, short, well-localised pain on dentine stimulation. C fibres in the pulp core are activated by inflammation and tissue damage and give dull, throbbing, poorly localised and lingering pain, typical of irreversible pulpitis.

Option by option

  • A. A-beta fibres of the periodontal ligament

    A-beta fibres in the ligament mediate pressure and touch around the tooth.

  • B. Postganglionic sympathetic fibres of the pulp

    Sympathetic fibres regulate pulp blood vessels and do not carry pain.

  • C. A-delta fibres at the pulp-dentine border

    A-delta fibres carry sharp pain that stops when the stimulus is removed.

  • D. Unmyelinated C fibres in the pulp core (correct)

    Correct. C fibres mediate the dull lingering pain of an inflamed pulp.

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 D, Unmyelinated C fibres in the pulp core. A-delta fibres near the dentine produce sharp, short, well-localised pain on dentine stimulation.

Why is "A-beta fibres of the periodontal ligament" not the answer?

A-beta fibres in the ligament mediate pressure and touch around the tooth.

Why is "Postganglionic sympathetic fibres of the pulp" not the answer?

Sympathetic fibres regulate pulp blood vessels and do not carry pain.

Why is "A-delta fibres at the pulp-dentine border" not the answer?

A-delta fibres carry sharp pain that stops when the stimulus is removed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: pulp pain fibres in Dentistry. C fibres in the pulp core are activated by inflammation and tissue damage and give dull, throbbing, poorly localised and lingering pain, typical of irreversible pulpitis.

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: pulp pain fibres?

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.