A depression in the occlusal surface of the tooth is described by which term?

A depression in the occlusal surface of the tooth is described by which term?

• A. Pit
• B. Sulcus
• C. Groove
• D. Cusp

Answer: (B)

A depression on the occlusal (chewing) surface is a pit. Pits are small, round or oval indentations found in the occlusal surface, often at the base of fossae. Grooves are linear channels that run between cusps, and cusps are the raised points on the tooth. The gingival sulcus, not the occlusal surface, is the shallow groove between the tooth and the gingiva. So while grooves and fossae/pits relate to the chewing surface, the term that best describes a small, localized depression on that surface is pit.

A depression on the occlusal (chewing) surface is a pit. Pits are small, round or oval indentations found in the occlusal surface, often at the base of fossae. Grooves are linear channels that run between cusps, and cusps are the raised points on the tooth. The gingival sulcus, not the occlusal surface, is the shallow groove between the tooth and the gingiva. So while grooves and fossae/pits relate to the chewing surface, the term that best describes a small, localized depression on that surface is pit.