HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is a hemangioma?

1. A benign tumor of fat cells

2. A vascular tumor generally located in the neck/head area

3. An infection of vascular tissues

4. A form of lymphatic obstruction

The correct answer is: A vascular tumor generally located in the neck/head area

A hemangioma is primarily recognized as a vascular tumor that usually arises in the head or neck region, making it a benign growth formed from blood vessels. These tumors are often characterized by their bright red appearance and can vary in size. They are commonly found in infants and can appear shortly after birth or during the first year of life. Hemangiomas may spontaneously resolve over time, which is a distinguishing feature of these lesions. The other choices describe different conditions: a benign tumor of fat cells refers to a lipoma, an infection of vascular tissues would be more related to conditions like vasculitis or other vascular infections, and a form of lymphatic obstruction pertains to lymphomas or lymphangiectasia, which are not relevant to hemangiomas. This makes option B the most accurate description of a hemangioma's nature and typical location.