Tooth development: odontoblasts: 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: odontoblasts

Sample item

Which cells form dentin, and from which tissue do they differentiate?

AOdontoblasts, from ectomesenchyme of the dental papillaBAmeloblasts, from the inner enamel epitheliumCCementoblasts, from the stellate reticulumDFibroblasts, from the enamel knot

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Odontoblasts, from ectomesenchyme of the dental papilla

Odontoblasts differentiate from neural-crest-derived ectomesenchymal cells of the dental papilla and lay down dentin throughout life. Their processes remain in dentinal tubules.

Option by option

A. Odontoblasts, from ectomesenchyme of the dental papilla (correct)
Correct. Dentin is a product of papilla-derived odontoblasts.
B. Ameloblasts, from the inner enamel epithelium
Ameloblasts form enamel.
C. Cementoblasts, from the stellate reticulum
Cementoblasts come from the dental follicle.
D. Fibroblasts, from the enamel knot
The enamel knot is a signalling centre, not a source of fibroblasts for dentin.

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 A, Odontoblasts, from ectomesenchyme of the dental papilla. Odontoblasts differentiate from neural-crest-derived ectomesenchymal cells of the dental papilla and lay down dentin throughout life.

Why is "Ameloblasts, from the inner enamel epithelium" not the answer?

Ameloblasts form enamel.

Why is "Cementoblasts, from the stellate reticulum" not the answer?

Cementoblasts come from the dental follicle.

Why is "Fibroblasts, from the enamel knot" not the answer?

The enamel knot is a signalling centre, not a source of fibroblasts for dentin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development: odontoblasts in Dentistry. Their processes remain in dentinal tubules.

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: odontoblasts?

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.