Oral Pathology Specialty Quiz

Dentistry Branch

• The branch concerned with diseases of oral and paraoral structures is called Oral Pathology.
• It encompasses the study of oral soft tissues, mucous membranes, teeth, jaws, and salivary glands.

Granulocytes and Inflammatory Cells

• Granulocytes include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, classified as inflammatory cells due to their role in immune response.

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

• The cardinal signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function.

Primary Types of Lesions in Oral Pathology

• Primary lesions are characterized as initial manifestations of diseases, assessing their shape, size, color, and surface texture.

Lesion Descriptions

• A macule is described as a sharply circumscribed discoloration, flat, and up to 1cm in diameter.
• A papule is a small, raised lesion, while a plaque is broader and may be flat, distinguishing them by size and morphology.

Serous Fluid-Filled Lesions

• A vesicle is a sharply circumscribed, serous fluid-filled elevation measuring more than 1cm in diameter.

Nodules vs. Tumors

• The primary distinction between a nodule and a tumor is size; nodules are typically less than 2cm, while tumors exceed this size.

Continuity Break in Epithelium

• An ulcer is characterized by a break in the continuity of the epithelium and is deeper than an erosion.

Infiltration of Lesions

• Infiltration refers to the accumulation of cells within a lesion, indicating a more extensive involvement of tissue.

Causes of Clefts in Palate

• Clefts in the primary palate primarily arise from genetic factors during early fetal development.
• Clefts in the secondary palate are usually associated with environmental factors such as maternal smoking or medications.

Palatal Shelves Positioning

• Palatal shelves initially assume a vertical position during the 7th to 8th week of fetal development.

Fusion of Palatal Structures

• The incisor papilla forms at the junction where the anterior part of the palatal shelves fuses with the triangular primary palate.

Muscle Hypoplasia in Cleft Lip

• The orbicularis oris muscle is often intact but hypoplastic in cases of unilateral cleft lip.

Nasal Ala Displacement

• The nasal ala on the cleft side is typically displaced downward and laterally.

Genetic Links to Oral Clefts

• Research indicates common genetic variants may contribute to the risk of oral clefts.

Maternal Factors for Oral Clefts

• Maternal diabetes and use of certain medications during pregnancy have been implicated in the causation of oral clefts.

Incidence of Oral Clefts

• The reported incidence of oral clefts in live births ranges from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 5,000 depending on various factors.

Surgery Timing for Cleft Lip/Palate

• Surgeries to correct simple cleft lip/palate typically begin within the first year of life, often around 6 months of age.