Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What does a histological examination of fibromas reveal?

1. Infiltrated lymphocytes

2. Cystic formation

3. Nodular mass of connective tissue

4. Hyperplastic epithelium

The correct answer is: Nodular mass of connective tissue

A histological examination of fibromas typically reveals a nodular mass of connective tissue. Fibromas are benign tumors that arise from fibrous connective tissue and often present as well-circumscribed lesions composed of dense collagenous tissue. The histological characteristics include the presence of fibroblasts and abundant collagen fibers, which contribute to the tumor's firm consistency. In contrast, infiltrated lymphocytes could indicate an inflammatory process, which is not characteristic of fibromas. Cystic formation is usually associated with other types of lesions, such as cysts, and is not a typical feature of fibromas. Similarly, hyperplastic epithelium pertains to conditions involving the proliferation of epithelial cells, which does not fit the description of a fibroma, as this tumor primarily consists of connective tissue. Therefore, the identification of a nodular mass of connective tissue aligns with the expected findings in fibromas.