Chapter 1: Intro to Preliminary Diagnosis of Oral Lesions Flashcards
A circumscribed, elevated lesion that is more than 5mm in diameter, usually contains serous fluid, and looks like a blister.
Bulla
A segment or lobe that is part of the whole; these lobes sometimes appear fused together.
Lobule
An area that is usually distinguished by a color different from that of surrounding tissue; it is flat and does not protrude above the surface of the normal tissue. A freckle is an example.
Macule
A palpable solid lesion up to or greater than 1cm in diameter found in soft tissue; it can occur above, level with, or beneath the skin surface.
Nodule
A small, circumscribed lesion usually less than 1cm in diameter that is elevated or protrudes above the surface or normal surrounding tissue.
Papule
Attached by a stemlike or stalk like base similar to that of a mushroom.
Pedunculated
Variously sized circumscribed elevations containing pus.
Pustules
Describing the base of a lesion that is flat or broad instead of stemlike.
Sessile
A small, elevated lesion less than 1cm in diameter that contains serous fluid.
Vesicle
The elevation of a lesion by feeling it with the fingers to determine the texture of the area; the descriptive terms for palpation are soft, firm, semi firm, and fluid filled (fluctuant); these terms also describe the consistency of the lesion.
Palpation
Red, pink, salmon, white, blue-back, gray, brown, and black are the words used most frequently to describe the colors of oral lesions; they can be used to identify specific lesions and may also be incorporated into general descriptions.
Colors
An abnormal redness of the mucosa or gingiva.
Erythema
A clinical term used to describe an oral mucosal lesion that appears as a smooth red patch or granular, red, and velvety patch and cannot be rubbed off or diagnosed as a specific disease.
Erythroplakia
A clinical term for a white patch or plaque like lesion on the oral mucosa that cannot be rubbed off or diagnosed as a specific disease.
Leukoplakia
Paleness of the skin or mucosal tissues.
Pallor
One-hundredth of a meter; equivalent to a little less than one-half inch (0.393 inch).
Centimeter (cm)
One-thousandth of a meter (a meter is equivalent to 39.3 inches); the periodontal probe is of great assistance in documenting the size or diameter of a lesion that can be measured in this format.
Millimeter (mm)
Wrinkled.
Corrugated
A cleft or groove, normal or otherwise, showing prominent depth.
Fissure
Resembling small, finger-like projections or elevations found in clusters.
Papillary
Warty, often rough surface.
Verrucous
The process by which parts of a whole join together, or fuse, to make one.
Coalescence
Describes a lesion with borders that are not well defined, making it impossible to detect the exact parameters of the lesion; this may make treatment more difficult and, depending on the biopsy results, more radical.
Diffuse
Describes a lesion that extends beyond the confines of one distinct area and is defined as many lobes or parts that are somewhat fused together, making up the entire lesion; this radiolucency is sometimes described as resembling soap bubbles.
Multilocular
Describes the black or dark areas on a radiograph; radiant energy can pass through these structures.
Radiolucent
Terms used to describe a mixture of light and dark areas within a lesion, usually denoting a stage in the development of the lesion.
Radiolucent and radiopaque
Describes the light or white area on a radiograph that results from the inability of radiant energy to pass through the structure; the denser the structure, the lighter or whiter it appears on the radiographs.
Radiopaque
Observed radiographically when the apex of the tooth appears shortened or blunted and irregularly shaped; occurs as a response to stimuli, which can include a cyst, tumor, or trauma; external arises from tissues outside the tooth, such as the PDL, whereas internal is triggered by pulpal tissue reaction from within the tooth; in the latter, the pulpal area can be seen as a diffuse radiolucency beyond the confines of the normal pulp area.
Root resorption
A radiolucent lesion that extends between the roots.
Scalloping around the root
Having one compartment or unit that is well defined or outlined, as in a simple radicular cyst.
Uniocular
Term used to describe a lesion with borders that are specifically defined and in which one can clearly see the exact margins and extent.
Well circumscribed
Something that deviates from what is standard or normal.
Anomaly
Difficulty swallowing.
Dysphagia
Difficulty speaking.
Dysphonia
Difficulty breathing.
Dyspnea
Smooth, dark pink or red, flat area near the back of the tongue. The tongue gets this appearance when it’s missing filiform papillae, small bumps formed by mucous membrane cells that make up the tongue’s surface. May be associated with candida albicans.
Median Rhomboid Glossitis (MRG)
Clinically tiny yellow papules in clusters that are distributed over the buccal mucosa or vermillion border of the lips. They are ectopic sebaceous glands that are asymptomatic. Occur in 80% of adults over age 20.
Fordyce granules
An exophytic growth of normal compact bone, it is benign. Can be many shapes/sizes/lobulated. More common in women (2:1). Occurs more frequent in Asians, Native Americans, and Inuit. Can be genetic or from environmental causes.
Torus palatinus
Outgrowths of normal dense bone found on the lingual aspect of the mandible area of the premolars above the mylohyoid ridge. Usually do not require treatment unless a patient needs a denture, and the tori interferes with placement. 90% are bilateral, and more frequent in Native American, Asians, and Inuit. Higher rate in men.
Mandibular torus
Gives color to the skin, eyes, hair, mucosa, and gingiva. This pigmentation is commonly observed on the oral mucosa of dark-skinned individuals.
Melanin pigmentation
A sessile papule found on the gingival margin of the lingual aspect of the mandibular cuspids. Often resemble squamous papillomas in appearance and are often observed in those younger of age. Resolve with age.
Retrocuspid papilla
Prominent lingual veins are usually observed on the ventral and lateral surfaces of the tongue. Clinically red-to-purple enlarged vessels or clusters are seen. Commonly observed in older individuals and possibly associated with a smoking hx. or cardiovascular disease.
Lingual varicosities
A “white line” that extends anteroposteriorly on the buccal mucosa along the occlusal plane. It can be bilateral and is associated with prominence in those who clench or have bruxism.
Linea alba
A generalized opalescence on the buccal mucosa. It is grey-white in appearance diffused through the mucosa, and is more pronounced in smokers and usually seen in Black adults (90%). A benign condition. Intracellular edema in the spinous cells and acanthosis of the epithelium.
Leukoedema
Occurs when thyroid tissue does not descend or remnants become entrapped in the tissue that makes up the tongue and is a developmental anomaly. Most common in females and is associated with hormonal changes. Clinically observed as a mass in the midline of the dorsal surface of the tongue posterior to the circumvallate papillae between the foramen cecum and epiglottis. Can have a sessile base and patient may have dysphasia, dysphonia, and dyspnea. Avoid biopsy due to vascularity.
Lingual thyroid
Appears as diffuse areas of erythematous patches surrounded by a white or yellow perimeter on the dorsal surface and lateral borders of the tongue, with distinct filiform papillae. Condition is not static and may change in time. Asymptomatic but may cause burning sensation or sensitivity to spicy foods. Same leukocyte antigen (HLA) as psoriasis.
Geographic tongue (erythema migrans)
Seen in 5% of the population. Clinically, the dorsal surface of the tongue appears to have deep fissures or grooves of 2-6mm that can become irritated with food debris. Asymptomatic, but patients should be advised to gently brush their tongue with a soft toothbrush. Higher incidence in males, may be familial. 1/3 (30%) with fissured will have geographic tongue.
Fissured tongue
A condition in which the patient has an increased accumulation of keratin on the filiform papillae causing a hairy appearance. Can range from white to brown-black from chromogenic bacteria, tobacco, or certain foods. Pepto Bismol, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and chemical rinses can be a causation. Patient can gently brush tongue with water and a soft toothbrush or discontinue causative agent if applicable.
Hairy tongue
Occurrence of erythema migrans on tissue other than the tongue.
Ectopic geographic tongue
