Gubernacular Cord — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardAnatomy (Head & Neck)Gubernacular CordMFDS Part 1

During eruption of a successional permanent tooth, the gubernacular cord occupies a small canal in the alveolar bone and contains epithelial remnants. Between which two structures does this cord extend?

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Correct answer: D — The dental follicle and the overlying gingiva

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · A = shown as D

The gubernacular cord extends from the dental follicle of the developing permanent tooth towards the overlying gingiva, passing through the gubernacular canal in the alveolar bone. It contains connective tissue and epithelial remnants derived from the dental lamina and is associated with the eruption pathway. Option D is the most plausible distractor because the cord contains dental-lamina remnants, but it does not connect the primary and successional dental laminae. Options B and E describe epithelial–mesenchymal relationships involved in crown development rather than an eruptive tract. Hertwig's epithelial root sheath helps determine root form and induces radicular dentine formation; it does not form a cord connecting to cementum, excluding C.

Reference: Chaudhry A, Sobti G. Imaging characteristics of Gubernacular Tract on CBCT—A pictorial review. Oral Radiology. 2021;37(3):355–365. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32607940/