Rests of Serres — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardAnatomy (Head & Neck)Rests of SerresMFDS Part 1

A specimen of attached gingiva adjacent to an erupted vital tooth contains small, quiescent islands of odontogenic epithelium within the lamina propria, without continuity with the surface epithelium. No periodontal ligament or pericoronal tissue is present. These epithelial remnants are classically implicated in gingival cyst formation. Which named remnants are these?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Dental lamina rests (rests of Serres)

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

A is correct. Rests of Serres are postfunctional remnants of the dental lamina retained in the gingival connective tissue and are classically implicated in gingival cyst formation. Rests of Malassez derive from Hertwig's epithelial root sheath and lie principally within the periodontal ligament. Reduced enamel epithelium covers the crown of an unerupted tooth and is associated with pericoronal tissues. Nasopalatine duct remnants occur in the anterior maxillary incisive canal region, whereas thyroglossal duct remnants follow the embryological tract between the foramen caecum and thyroid. Gingival cysts of the newborn may be termed dental lamina cysts; Epstein pearls and Bohn nodules are distinct palatal inclusion-cyst categories and should not be used as synonyms.

Reference: Wysocki GP, Brannon RB, Gardner DG, Sapp P. Histogenesis of the lateral periodontal cyst and the gingival cyst of the adult. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology. 1980;50(4):327-334. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6935584/