HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is another term for a neoplasm arising from epithelial cells?

1. Carcinoma

2. Granuloma

3. Hemangioma

4. Papilloma

The correct answer is: Papilloma

A neoplasm that arises from epithelial cells is commonly referred to as a carcinoma. This type of tumor originates in the epithelium, the tissue that lines the cavities and surfaces of organs throughout the body. Carcinomas can be further classified based on the specific type of epithelial cells involved, such as squamous cells or glandular cells. While papillomas, which is the term chosen in this case, may also refer to benign tumors that arise from epithelial cells, they represent a specific subset of epithelial neoplasms characterized by their finger-like projections. Thus, while papillomas are derived from epithelial cells, the broader and more widely recognized term for malignant neoplasms originating from these same cells is carcinoma. The other listed terms—granuloma and hemangioma—refer to different types of tissue responses and tumors. Granulomas are a type of inflammation response typically caused by infections or foreign substances, and hemangiomas are benign tumors consisting of blood vessels.