Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Dental OSCE Exam with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed answer explanations. Boost your confidence and improve your clinical competencies!

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What neoplasm is characterized by an M-shaped vascular appearance in the palate?

  1. Ameloblastoma

  2. Kaposi sarcoma

  3. Squamous cell carcinoma

  4. Hemangioma

The correct answer is: Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma is recognized for its distinctive M-shaped vascular appearance, particularly when it manifests in the oral cavity, such as the palate. This neoplasm is associated with the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and primarily appears in immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS. The M-shaped pattern reflects the proliferation of blood vessels, which is a hallmark of this type of vascular tumor. Ameloblastoma typically presents as a radiolucent lesion in the jaw and does not exhibit the vascular characteristics seen in Kaposi sarcoma. Squamous cell carcinoma can appear in various forms but generally does not have the specific vascular patterns that define Kaposi sarcoma. Hemangiomas, while they do involve blood vessels, usually present with a more homogeneous appearance rather than the distinctive M-shaped configuration. Therefore, the unique vascular characteristics associated with Kaposi sarcoma make it the correct choice for this question.