Pathology · single question
A patient has bilateral white lines at the plane of occlusion on the buccal mucosa. What is this finding?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Bilateral linea alba
Linea alba is a horizontal white line on the buccal mucosa at the level of the occlusal plane, caused by friction from teeth against the cheek. It is BILATERAL, white, cannot be wiped off, and is a NORMAL anatomical variant. It follows the occlusal plane exactly. No treatment is needed. It is distinguished from leukoplakia because it has a characteristic location (occlusal plane) and is a physiologic finding.
- A. CORRECT. Bilateral white lines at the occlusal plane = linea alba — a normal finding caused by frictional keratosis from tooth contact on buccal mucosa.
- B. Incorrect. Leukoedema is a diffuse, grayish-white opalescent appearance that disappears when the mucosa is stretched — it is not a discrete line at the occlusal plane.
- C. Incorrect. White sponge nevus is a hereditary condition causing diffuse white thickening throughout the oral mucosa — not a bilateral occlusal-plane line.
- D. Incorrect. Fordyce spots are yellowish sebaceous gland prominences on the buccal mucosa or lips — not white lines at the occlusal plane.