Pathology · single question
A ~50-year-old patient has a white palate with red dots around minor salivary gland openings (no photo). What type of condition is this?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Developmental
- A. Incorrect. Developmental conditions are present from birth/early childhood.
- B. Correct. White palate with red dots at minor salivary gland openings in a smoker = nicotinic stomatitis. It is a REACTIVE condition — reactive to thermal/chemical irritation from tobacco.
- C. Incorrect. Nicotinic stomatitis has low malignant potential; the lesion is reactive, not neoplastic.
- D. Incorrect. There is no infectious etiology for nicotinic stomatitis.
Sources disagree on the answer to this question. Check a trusted reference.