Gingiva in the oral cavity is found surrounding which area?

• A. Surrounds the cervices of teeth
• B. Covers the alveolar ridge
• C. Fills interproximal spaces between teeth
• D. Lines the inner cheek

Answer: (A)

Gingiva is the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth at their cervical area, forming a protective collar around the neck where the tooth meets the gum. This surrounding of the cervices creates the gingival sulcus and the attached gingiva that cling to the tooth and underlying bone. The alveolar ridge is covered by alveolar mucosa over bone, not the gingiva that encircles the tooth, and the inner cheek is lined by buccal mucosa. There is also interdental gingiva that fills the spaces between teeth, but the primary location described by “surrounding the cervices” is the correct, defining relation.