Oral Lichen Planus — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Band-like lymphocytic infiltrate at the epithelial–connective tissue junction
Oral lichen planus characteristically shows a dense, band-like predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate immediately beneath the epithelium, accompanied by basal keratinocyte degeneration and apoptotic keratinocytes known as Civatte bodies. Therefore, A is the single best answer. Epithelial acantholysis is associated particularly with pemphigus vulgaris. Non-caseating granulomas suggest conditions such as Crohn disease or sarcoidosis. Koilocytosis indicates human papillomavirus-associated epithelial change, while Reed–Sternberg cells are characteristic of classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Histology should be interpreted alongside the clinical pattern because oral lichenoid lesions can show overlapping microscopic features.
Reference: Hansen BT, Payne JB, Samson KK, Giannini PJ. Assessing the Agreement of Light Microscopic Evaluation of Oral Lichen Planus Lesions With Associated Direct Immunofluorescence Evaluation. Clinical Pathology. 2023;16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37719803/