Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: keratocyst histology: 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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: keratocyst histology

Sample item

Histology of a jaw cyst shows a thin lining of 6 to 10 cell layers with a corrugated parakeratinised surface and palisaded, hyperchromatic basal cells over a flat epithelium-connective tissue interface. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Odontogenic keratocyst

A uniform thin lining, corrugated parakeratin and a palisaded basal layer are the hallmarks of the odontogenic keratocyst. The wall is thin and friable, which contributes to recurrence after enucleation.

Option by option

  • A. Radicular cyst

    A radicular cyst has a non-keratinised lining with arcading and heavy inflammation.

  • B. Odontogenic keratocyst (correct)

    Correct. The corrugated parakeratin and palisaded basal layer are diagnostic.

  • C. Calcifying odontogenic cyst

    A calcifying odontogenic cyst shows ghost cells and ameloblast-like basal cells.

  • D. Dentigerous cyst

    A dentigerous cyst has a thin non-keratinised lining of a few layers of flat cells.

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 B, Odontogenic keratocyst. A uniform thin lining, corrugated parakeratin and a palisaded basal layer are the hallmarks of the odontogenic keratocyst.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

A radicular cyst has a non-keratinised lining with arcading and heavy inflammation.

Why is "Calcifying odontogenic cyst" not the answer?

A calcifying odontogenic cyst shows ghost cells and ameloblast-like basal cells.

Why is "Dentigerous cyst" not the answer?

A dentigerous cyst has a thin non-keratinised lining of a few layers of flat cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: keratocyst histology in Dentistry. The wall is thin and friable, which contributes to recurrence after enucleation.

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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: keratocyst histology?

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.