Oral pathology: ameloblastoma 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: ameloblastoma histology

Sample item

Biopsy of a jaw tumour shows islands with peripheral columnar cells whose nuclei lie away from the basement membrane (reverse polarity) around stellate-reticulum-like cells. Which tumour is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ameloblastoma

Palisaded peripheral columnar cells with reverse nuclear polarity surrounding loosely arranged stellate cells are the classic follicular ameloblastoma pattern.

Option by option

  • A. Ameloblastoma (correct)

    Correct. Reverse polarity with stellate reticulum-like centre is diagnostic.

  • B. Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour

    The Pindborg tumour shows sheets of polyhedral cells with Liesegang ring calcifications.

  • C. Odontogenic keratocyst

    The keratocyst has a thin corrugated parakeratinised lining.

  • D. Calcifying odontogenic cyst

    The calcifying odontogenic cyst shows ghost 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 A, Ameloblastoma. Palisaded peripheral columnar cells with reverse nuclear polarity surrounding loosely arranged stellate cells are the classic follicular ameloblastoma pattern.

Why is "Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour" not the answer?

The Pindborg tumour shows sheets of polyhedral cells with Liesegang ring calcifications.

Why is "Odontogenic keratocyst" not the answer?

The keratocyst has a thin corrugated parakeratinised lining.

Why is "Calcifying odontogenic cyst" not the answer?

The calcifying odontogenic cyst shows ghost cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: ameloblastoma histology in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct. Reverse polarity with stellate reticulum-like centre is diagnostic.

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: ameloblastoma 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.