Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: maxillary ameloblastoma: 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: maxillary ameloblastoma

Sample item

Compared with a mandibular lesion of the same size, why is a maxillary ameloblastoma more dangerous?

AIt always contains a basaloid patternBThin cortices let it reach the sinus, orbit and skull baseCIt has higher rates of malignant changeDIt is resistant to surgical excision because of calcification

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Thin cortices let it reach the sinus, orbit and skull base

The maxilla has thin cortical plates and little dense bone. A tumour there can extend into the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, orbit or skull base, making complete removal harder and recurrence more serious. The behaviour is not due to a distinct malignant histology.

Option by option

A. It always contains a basaloid pattern
Histological pattern does not differ between jaws in a consistent way.
B. Thin cortices let it reach the sinus, orbit and skull base (correct)
Correct. Thin bone allows spread to vital adjacent structures and complicates margins.
C. It has higher rates of malignant change
Malignant change is rare in both jaws and is not more frequent in the maxilla.
D. It is resistant to surgical excision because of calcification
Calcification is not a typical feature that prevents excision.

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 B, Thin cortices let it reach the sinus, orbit and skull base. The maxilla has thin cortical plates and little dense bone.

Why is "It always contains a basaloid pattern" not the answer?

Histological pattern does not differ between jaws in a consistent way.

Why is "It has higher rates of malignant change" not the answer?

Malignant change is rare in both jaws and is not more frequent in the maxilla.

Why is "It is resistant to surgical excision because of calcification" not the answer?

Calcification is not a typical feature that prevents excision.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: maxillary ameloblastoma in Dentistry. A tumour there can extend into the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, orbit or skull base, making complete removal harder and recurrence more serious. The behaviour is not due to a distinct malignant histology.

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: maxillary ameloblastoma?

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.