Chapter 21: Recognizing Normal Radiographic Anatomy - Intraoral Radiographs

Which of the following describes the radiographic appearance of the lamina dura?

A thin radiopaque border that outlines the root of the tooth

Certain anatomical landmarks may or may not be imaged on dental radiographs depending on

All of these

Which of these statements is false?

The lateral fossa appears as a radiolucency between the maxillary canine and first premolar.

Which of the following soft tissues may be imaged on an intraoral dental radiograph?

Tip of the nose

A line of union of adjacent cranial or facial bones that appears radiolucent on radiographs is called a "suture."

True

A thin radiopaque line delineates the midline of the palate and the junction of the right and left maxilla.

True

An important radiographic landmark is the inverted Y, which is seen between the right and left nasal fossae.

True

Bones are solid only on the outside and honeycombed within.

True

Cancellous bone appears extremely radiopaque.

True

Cortical bone varies in radiopacity according to the size and number of trabeculae.

True

Examples of anatomic landmarks that appear radiolucent include ridges, spines, and tubercles.

True

Examples of anatomic landmarks that appear radiopaque include foramina, canals, and sutures.

True

Examples of anatomic landmarks that may appear on a mandibular anterior radiograph include the genial tubercles, lingual foramen, and mental ridge.

True

Examples of anatomic landmarks that may appear on a mandibular posterior radiograph include the oblique ridge, mylohyoid ridge, and mental foramen.

True

Examples of anatomic landmarks that may appear on a maxillary anterior radiograph include the nasal septum, anterior nasal spine, and soft tissue shadow of the nose.

True

Nutrient canals are thin radiolucent lines of uniform width that sometimes exhibit radiopaque borders.

True

Small, interconnected trabeculae form a multitude of various-sized compartments that account for the honeycomb appearance of cancellous bone radiographically.

True

Structures that are dense and absorb or resist the passage of x-rays will appear dark or black on the radiograph.

True

The alveolar process is that portion of the maxilla or mandible that surrounds and supports the teeth.

True

The lingual foramen is a depression on the labial aspect of the mandibular incisor area, often appearing as a generalized radiolucent area around the incisor apices.

True

The lingual foramen is a very small opening located in the center of the genial tubercles on the lingual side of the mandible.

True

The nasal septum appears as a radiopaque V-shaped projection from the floor of the nasal fossa in the midline.

True

While the maxillary sinus appears radiolucent on a radiograph, the maxillary sinus walls appear radiopaque.

True

Certain radiographic landmarks may or may not be recorded on intraoral dental radiographs because of all of the following except one. Which one is the exception?

Type of image receptor used.

Which of the following structures of the tooth appears the most radiopaque?

Enamel

Which of the following lists the structures in order of decreasing radiopacity?

Enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp

Which of the following provides the best organizational framework of steps to aid in learning how to interpret normal radiographic anatomy?

First, determine if the structure in question is maxilla or mandible; second, determine if anterior or posterior; third, determine if radiopaque or radiolucent.

Each of the following appear radiopaque except one. Which one is the exception?

Foramen

The periodontal ligament space appears as a thin radiolucent line between the lamina dura and the root of the tooth.

True

Which of the following describes thin radiolucent lines of fairly uniform width that sometimes exhibit radiopaque borders and are commonly found on mandibular anterior intraoral radiographs?

Nutrient canals

Which of these is not a normal radiographic landmark often imaged on intraoral radiographs?

Occipital bone.

Each of the following is a structure of the mandible except one. Which one is the exception?

Hamulus

The genial tubercles are most likely to be recorded on an intraoral radiograph of the

Mandibular anterior region

The oblique ridge is most likely to be recorded on an intraoral radiograph of the

Mandibular posterior region

The incisive foramen is most likely to be recorded on an intraoral radiograph of the

Maxillary anterior region

The coronoid process is most likely to be recorded on an intraoral radiograph of the

Maxillary posterior region

The zygomatic process is most likely to be recorded on an intraoral radiograph of the

Maxillary posterior region

What is the compact or dense bone observed on dental radiographs called?

Cortical

Which of the following bone types will appear the most radiopaque?

Cortical

What is the thin radiopaque border that outlines the root of the tooth called?

Lamina dura