HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

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Master HOSA Dental terminology with interactive quizzes and multiple-choice questions. Study with confidence and enhance your ability for exam success and knowledge expansion. Prepare effectively and achieve your certification goals.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the role of cortical bone in the jaw structure?

It forms the inner wall of the jaw
It supports and shapes the maxilla and mandible
It is primarily responsible for tooth attachment
It assists in the production of saliva

The correct answer is: It supports and shapes the maxilla and mandible

The role of cortical bone in the jaw structure is fundamentally linked to its function in supporting and shaping the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). Cortical bone is a dense, strong outer layer of bone that provides structural integrity to the jaw, allowing it to withstand the forces exerted during activities such as chewing and speaking. Its robustness is essential for maintaining the overall shape of the jaw and for anchoring teeth securely within the bony structure. While other options mention different aspects of jaw anatomy and function, they do not accurately describe the primary purpose of cortical bone. For instance, the inner wall of the jaw is more typically comprised of trabecular bone rather than cortical bone, and tooth attachment mainly involves the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Saliva production is a function of salivary glands, not directly related to the structural role of cortical bone in the jaw.