HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which term describes inflammation of the alveolar bone?

1. Alveolitis

2. Adenitis

3. Appendicitis

4. Periodontitis

The correct answer is: Alveolitis

The term that describes inflammation of the alveolar bone is alveolitis. This condition specifically refers to the inflammation occurring in the alveolar bone, which is the bone that supports the teeth within the sockets in the jaw. Alveolitis is often associated with complications following tooth extraction, such as dry socket, where the blood clot fails to develop properly in the socket, leading to inflammation and pain in the bone. In contrast, adenitis refers to inflammation of the lymph nodes, appendicitis involves inflammation of the appendix, and periodontitis is a disease that affects the structures surrounding the teeth—including the gums and the supporting bone, but it encompasses a broader disease process beyond just inflammation of the alveolar bone itself. Each of these terms describes a specific anatomical area and type of inflammation, distinguishing them from the inflammation that specifically targets the alveolar bone as seen in alveolitis.