,Chapter 01: Oral Cavity
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A diastema is a space between two teeth in the same arch. When this occurs between the
maxillary central incisors, it is often the result of a pronounced labial frenum.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
d. Both statements are false.
ANS: A
A space, or lack of contact area, between any two teeth in the same arch is called a diastema.
When a diastema occurs between the maxillary central incisors, it is often the result of a
pronounced labial frenum extending to the crest of the alveolar ridge and possibly over the
ridge. This band of firm connective tissue causes the erupting incisors to be pushed aside
resulting in a diastema, or space. Correction of a diastema usually involves surgical
removal, or cutting, of the frenal tissue between the teeth.
REF: p. 3
2. Torus palatinus is seen on the
a. Soft palate
b. Hard palate
c. Alveolar ridge
d. Oral pharynx
ANS: B
Torus palatinus is excess bone growth and occurs in the midline of the hard palate. It may
grow to varying sizes and is generally only a problem when the construction of a maxillary
denture is necessary. In health, such bony protuberances, or excess bone growths, do not
occur on the soft palate, alveolar ridge, or oral pharynx.
REF: p. 6
3. Which of the following is another term for tongue-tied?
a. Glossolalia
b. Ankyloglossia
c. Frenectomy
d. Glossitis
ANS: B
Ankyloglossia, a condition where the muscular frenal attachment (frenum) is short and
attaches close to the tip of the tongue, limits tongue movement. Glossolalia is defined as
“speaking in tongues”. A frenectomy is the surgical procedure performed to excise, or cut, a
pronounced frenum with the goal of closing a diastema. Glossitis is an inflammatory
condition of the tongue characterized by erythema (redness) and tenderness. Glossitis
typically involves only the dorsal (top) surface, however it can involve the entire tongue.
, REF: p. 7
4. Contraction of which muscle raises the tongue upward?
a. Mylohyoid
b. Palatopharyngeal
c. Palatoglossal
d. Levator glossal
ANS: A
Contraction of the mylohyoid muscle raises the tongue. The palatopharyngeal muscle and
the palatoglossal muscle form the posterolateral borders of the oral cavity. There is not a
muscle by the name of levator glossal.
REF: p. 9
5. The oral vestibule is partially bordered by the lips and cheeks. The oral cavity proper
extends posteriorly to the soft palate.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
d. Both statements are false.
ANS: B
The oral vestibule is the space or potential space that exists between the lips or cheeks and
the teeth. In an edentulous person, the vestibule would extend between the lips or cheeks
and the alveolar ridges. The oral cavity proper is surrounded by the teeth or alveolar ridges
and extends all the way back to the palatine tonsils. This includes the region from the floor
of the mouth upward to the hard and soft palates.
REF: p. 2
6. Each of the following is true of the uvula EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
a. It is located at the most posterior portion of the hard palate.
b. It is located at the midline.
c. It is a downwardly projecting muscle.
d. It is necessary for swallowing.
ANS: D
The uvula is a downwardly projecting muscular tissue located at the midline of the most
posterior portion of the hard palate. It is NOT necessary for swallowing.
REF: p. 7
7. The circumvallate papillae are located on the hard palate, buccal mucosa, and floor of the
mouth. The papillae found on the tongue are the filiform, fungiform, vallate, foliate, and
incisive.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
, d. Both statements are false.
ANS: D
All papillae listed in both statements are located on the tongue with the exception of the
incisive papilla, which is located on the hard palate. Note that the incisive papilla is a
singular structure, thus the different spelling. There are no papillae located on either the
buccal mucosa or the floor of the mouth.
REF: p. 7
8. Each of the following structures can readily be viewed when examining the oral cavity
EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
a. Fovea palatinae
b. Tonsillar pillars
c. Laryngeal pharynx
d. Sublingual fold
ANS: C
The laryngeal pharynx is located below the oral pharynx and cannot be seen while
examining the oral cavity. The fovea palatinae, the tonsillar pillars, and the sublingual fold
can be seen when examining the oral cavity. Fovea palatinae are small depressions in
mucosa on either side of the posterior nasal spine indicating the junction of the hard and soft
palate. Tonsillar pillars are folds of tissue that partially surround the tonsils. The sublingual
fold extends backward on either side of the floor of the mouth and is situated just superior to
the submandibular gland.
REF: p. 2 | pp. 6-7
9. Each of the following structures is located within the hard palate EXCEPT one. Which one
is the EXCEPTION?
a. Incisive papilla
b. Rugae
c. Greater palatine foramina
d. The anterior and posterior pillars
ANS: D
The anterior and posterior pillars are located posterior to the soft palate. The posterior pillar
is also called the palatopharyngeal arch or fold. The anterior pillar is also called the
palatoglossal arch or fold. The tonsils lie between the anterior and posterior pillars. The
incisive papilla and rugae are located on the anterior portion of the hard palate. The greater
palatine foramina are located in the posterior portions of the hard palate lingual to the
second and third maxillary molars.
REF: p. 5 | p. 7
10. The small bony growths that commonly occur on the buccal cortical plate of the maxillae
and the mandible are called
a. Torus palatinus
b. Mandibular tori
c. Exostoses
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A diastema is a space between two teeth in the same arch. When this occurs between the
maxillary central incisors, it is often the result of a pronounced labial frenum.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
d. Both statements are false.
ANS: A
A space, or lack of contact area, between any two teeth in the same arch is called a diastema.
When a diastema occurs between the maxillary central incisors, it is often the result of a
pronounced labial frenum extending to the crest of the alveolar ridge and possibly over the
ridge. This band of firm connective tissue causes the erupting incisors to be pushed aside
resulting in a diastema, or space. Correction of a diastema usually involves surgical
removal, or cutting, of the frenal tissue between the teeth.
REF: p. 3
2. Torus palatinus is seen on the
a. Soft palate
b. Hard palate
c. Alveolar ridge
d. Oral pharynx
ANS: B
Torus palatinus is excess bone growth and occurs in the midline of the hard palate. It may
grow to varying sizes and is generally only a problem when the construction of a maxillary
denture is necessary. In health, such bony protuberances, or excess bone growths, do not
occur on the soft palate, alveolar ridge, or oral pharynx.
REF: p. 6
3. Which of the following is another term for tongue-tied?
a. Glossolalia
b. Ankyloglossia
c. Frenectomy
d. Glossitis
ANS: B
Ankyloglossia, a condition where the muscular frenal attachment (frenum) is short and
attaches close to the tip of the tongue, limits tongue movement. Glossolalia is defined as
“speaking in tongues”. A frenectomy is the surgical procedure performed to excise, or cut, a
pronounced frenum with the goal of closing a diastema. Glossitis is an inflammatory
condition of the tongue characterized by erythema (redness) and tenderness. Glossitis
typically involves only the dorsal (top) surface, however it can involve the entire tongue.
, REF: p. 7
4. Contraction of which muscle raises the tongue upward?
a. Mylohyoid
b. Palatopharyngeal
c. Palatoglossal
d. Levator glossal
ANS: A
Contraction of the mylohyoid muscle raises the tongue. The palatopharyngeal muscle and
the palatoglossal muscle form the posterolateral borders of the oral cavity. There is not a
muscle by the name of levator glossal.
REF: p. 9
5. The oral vestibule is partially bordered by the lips and cheeks. The oral cavity proper
extends posteriorly to the soft palate.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
d. Both statements are false.
ANS: B
The oral vestibule is the space or potential space that exists between the lips or cheeks and
the teeth. In an edentulous person, the vestibule would extend between the lips or cheeks
and the alveolar ridges. The oral cavity proper is surrounded by the teeth or alveolar ridges
and extends all the way back to the palatine tonsils. This includes the region from the floor
of the mouth upward to the hard and soft palates.
REF: p. 2
6. Each of the following is true of the uvula EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
a. It is located at the most posterior portion of the hard palate.
b. It is located at the midline.
c. It is a downwardly projecting muscle.
d. It is necessary for swallowing.
ANS: D
The uvula is a downwardly projecting muscular tissue located at the midline of the most
posterior portion of the hard palate. It is NOT necessary for swallowing.
REF: p. 7
7. The circumvallate papillae are located on the hard palate, buccal mucosa, and floor of the
mouth. The papillae found on the tongue are the filiform, fungiform, vallate, foliate, and
incisive.
a. Both statements are true.
b. The first statement is true; the second is false.
c. The first statement is false; the second is true.
, d. Both statements are false.
ANS: D
All papillae listed in both statements are located on the tongue with the exception of the
incisive papilla, which is located on the hard palate. Note that the incisive papilla is a
singular structure, thus the different spelling. There are no papillae located on either the
buccal mucosa or the floor of the mouth.
REF: p. 7
8. Each of the following structures can readily be viewed when examining the oral cavity
EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
a. Fovea palatinae
b. Tonsillar pillars
c. Laryngeal pharynx
d. Sublingual fold
ANS: C
The laryngeal pharynx is located below the oral pharynx and cannot be seen while
examining the oral cavity. The fovea palatinae, the tonsillar pillars, and the sublingual fold
can be seen when examining the oral cavity. Fovea palatinae are small depressions in
mucosa on either side of the posterior nasal spine indicating the junction of the hard and soft
palate. Tonsillar pillars are folds of tissue that partially surround the tonsils. The sublingual
fold extends backward on either side of the floor of the mouth and is situated just superior to
the submandibular gland.
REF: p. 2 | pp. 6-7
9. Each of the following structures is located within the hard palate EXCEPT one. Which one
is the EXCEPTION?
a. Incisive papilla
b. Rugae
c. Greater palatine foramina
d. The anterior and posterior pillars
ANS: D
The anterior and posterior pillars are located posterior to the soft palate. The posterior pillar
is also called the palatopharyngeal arch or fold. The anterior pillar is also called the
palatoglossal arch or fold. The tonsils lie between the anterior and posterior pillars. The
incisive papilla and rugae are located on the anterior portion of the hard palate. The greater
palatine foramina are located in the posterior portions of the hard palate lingual to the
second and third maxillary molars.
REF: p. 5 | p. 7
10. The small bony growths that commonly occur on the buccal cortical plate of the maxillae
and the mandible are called
a. Torus palatinus
b. Mandibular tori
c. Exostoses
