Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: growth pattern of keratocyst: 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: growth pattern of keratocyst

Sample item

A panoramic film of a 30-year-old shows a 6 cm radiolucency running from the mandibular angle up the ramus, with scalloped margins and little buccolingual expansion. Aspiration gives cheesy keratinous material. What best explains the minimal expansion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Growth along the marrow spaces with intrinsic epithelial proliferation

The odontogenic keratocyst tends to grow along the length of the bone through the medullary spaces, so a large cyst may cause little cortical expansion. Its epithelium has intrinsic growth potential rather than depending only on osmotic pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Growth along the marrow spaces with intrinsic epithelial proliferation (correct)

    Correct. Growth through the marrow with intrinsic epithelial activity gives little expansion.

  • B. Destruction of cortex by osteoclast-like giant cells

    Giant cell lesions have a different histology and do not produce keratinous contents.

  • C. A heavily calcified lining that resists expansion

    The lining of this cyst is thin and parakeratinised, not calcified.

  • D. Rapid fluid accumulation raising intracystic osmotic pressure

    Osmotic fluid pressure causes expansion in inflammatory cysts and does not explain minimal expansion here.

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 A, Growth along the marrow spaces with intrinsic epithelial proliferation. The odontogenic keratocyst tends to grow along the length of the bone through the medullary spaces, so a large cyst may cause little cortical expansion.

Why is "Destruction of cortex by osteoclast-like giant cells" not the answer?

Giant cell lesions have a different histology and do not produce keratinous contents.

Why is "A heavily calcified lining that resists expansion" not the answer?

The lining of this cyst is thin and parakeratinised, not calcified.

Why is "Rapid fluid accumulation raising intracystic osmotic pressure" not the answer?

Osmotic fluid pressure causes expansion in inflammatory cysts and does not explain minimal expansion here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: growth pattern of keratocyst in Dentistry. Its epithelium has intrinsic growth potential rather than depending only on osmotic pressure.

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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: growth pattern of keratocyst?

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.