Pathology · single question
A patient has recurring painful oral ulcers on the buccal mucosa and tongue that appear with stress. No vesicles are present. Which statement is TRUE?
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Correct answer: C. They are recurrent aphthous stomatitis — NOT viral, NOT preceded by vesicles
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS / canker sores): (1) NOT caused by a virus — unknown etiology, immune-mediated, (2) NOT preceded by vesicles (unlike herpes), (3) appear on NON-keratinized movable mucosa (buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, tongue — unlike herpes which favors keratinized attached gingiva), (4) stress is a trigger.
- A. ❌ RAS is NOT caused by HSV — it has no viral etiology.
- B. ❌ RAS is NOT preceded by vesicles — this distinguishes it from herpetic lesions.
- C. ✅ RAS: not viral, not preceded by vesicles, stress-triggered, non-keratinized mucosa — all characteristic features.
- D. ❌ Antiviral therapy is for herpes, not RAS. Topical corticosteroids are used for RAS.