Which oral cyst is classified as a true fissural cyst?

The median palatal cyst is classified as a true fissural cyst because it arises from the developmental fissure that occurs during the fusion of the palatine processes of the maxilla. This type of cyst is located in the midline of the hard palate and is specifically associated with the embryological development of the palate.

In contrast, the nasopalatine cyst, although it can be related to the nasal cavity and palatine structures, is more accurately characterized as a non-odontogenic cyst and does not arise from a true fissural defect. The follicular cyst, often associated with the crowns of unerupted teeth, originates around developing teeth rather than from fissures. The radicular cyst, also known as an apical cyst, develops from the tissues surrounding the roots of dead teeth and is not classified among fissural cysts.

Understanding the development and classification of these cysts helps in accurate diagnosis and management in dental practice. This classification emphasizes the importance of embryological factors involved in the formation of dental and oral structures, which is vital for clinicians when assessing and treating oral pathologies.