Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The most common cyst found in the lateral neck is a branchial cyst. These cysts are remnants of the branchial apparatus that can develop when there is incomplete involution of the branchial clefts during embryonic development. Branchial cysts typically present as painless, mobilized masses located on the lateral aspect of the neck, often noted particularly during young adulthood.

One key feature of branchial cysts is their location, which is consistently found along the sternocleidomastoid muscle, making them distinct from other types of neck cysts. Additionally, these cysts may become infected or inflamed, leading to changes in their size and tenderness, which can help in clinical diagnosis.

The other types of cysts mentioned, such as dermoid cysts, follicular cysts, and pillars cysts, do occur in different contexts, but they are not as prevalent as branchial cysts specifically in the lateral neck. Dermoid cysts are typically found in the midline and tend to occur in areas like the forehead or periorbital region. Follicular cysts are more commonly associated with the skin or hair follicles rather than occurring in the lateral neck. Pillar cysts specifically refer to skin cysts arising from hair follicles