Tooth development and dental anatomy: gubernacular cord: 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 · Tooth development and dental anatomy: gubernacular cord

Sample item

A fibrous strand runs from the follicle of an unerupted permanent incisor through a small bony canal towards the gingiva lingual to the primary tooth, and is thought to guide the eruption path. What is this structure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Gubernacular cord

The gubernacular cord is a fibrous connective tissue strand, with some epithelial remnants, joining the dental follicle of a permanent successor to the gingiva through the gubernacular canal. It helps direct the successor into position as the primary tooth is shed.

Option by option

  • A. Transseptal fibre group

    Transseptal fibres span the interdental alveolar crest and have no role in eruption guidance.

  • B. Cervical loop

    The cervical loop is the rim of the enamel organ where inner and outer epithelia meet.

  • C. Gubernacular cord (correct)

    Correct. The cord and its bony canal guide the successor's eruption.

  • D. Successional dental lamina

    The successional lamina is the epithelial extension that formed the successor's bud, not a fibrous cord.

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, Gubernacular cord. The gubernacular cord is a fibrous connective tissue strand, with some epithelial remnants, joining the dental follicle of a permanent successor to the gingiva through the gubernacular canal.

Why is "Transseptal fibre group" not the answer?

Transseptal fibres span the interdental alveolar crest and have no role in eruption guidance.

Why is "Cervical loop" not the answer?

The cervical loop is the rim of the enamel organ where inner and outer epithelia meet.

Why is "Successional dental lamina" not the answer?

The successional lamina is the epithelial extension that formed the successor's bud, not a fibrous cord.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: gubernacular cord in Dentistry. It helps direct the successor into position as the primary tooth is shed.

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 Tooth development and dental anatomy: gubernacular cord?

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.