Pathology · single question
A patient presents with redness under a maxillary denture on the hard palate, inflamed minor salivary gland duct openings, and a leukoplakic background. They are a tobacco user. What is the diagnosis?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Nicotinic stomatitis (smoker's palate)
Nicotinic stomatitis = palatal lesion from pipe/tobacco smoking: diffuse palatal redness/whitening + inflamed and elevated minor salivary gland duct openings (red dots with umbilicated centers) + keratotic background. Source confirms: 'Nicotinic Stomatitis.'
- A. CORRECT. Nicotinic stomatitis = palatal redness + elevated inflamed salivary gland ducts + tobacco use.
- B. Oral submucous fibrosis = areca nut/betel quid; stiffness, blanching — not the duct opening pattern.
- C. Erythroplakia is a red patch with high malignant potential — not the specific salivary gland duct pattern.
- D. Median palatal cyst is a developmental midline cyst — not a mucosal lesion pattern.