Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

Lichen planus is characterized by a distinct histological appearance that includes a band of lymphocytic infiltrate in the subepithelial region and hyperparakeratosis. The band of lymphocytes at the interface of the epithelium and connective tissue is a classic feature observed during histological examination. This lymphocytic infiltration suggests an autoimmune-like process affecting the basal layer of the epithelium, where the basal cell layer becomes disrupted, leading to the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Hyperparakeratosis, which is the presence of retained nuclei in the keratin layer, can occur, particularly in the contexts of lichen planus, further contributing to the physiological abnormalities seen in the tissues. These histological features are essential for diagnosing lichen planus and differentiating it from other conditions that may present similarly.

Other options do not accurately reflect the typical histological features associated with lichen planus. For instance, smooth rete pegs would suggest a more normal or non-pathological state, while the presence of neutrophils in the epithelium would indicate an acute inflammatory process, which is not characteristic of lichen planus. Immunofluorescence findings of liquefaction are typically associated with other