Introduction to Preliminary Diagnosis of Oral Lesions

Question 1

Bulla

Answer 1

a circumscribed, elevated lesion that is more than 5mm in diameter, usually contains serous fluid, and looks like a blister.

Question 2

Lobule

Answer 2

A segment or lobe that is part of the whole; these lobes sometimes appear fused together.

Question 3

Macule

Answer 3

An area that is usually distinguished by a color different from that of the surrounding tissue; it is flat and does not protrude above the surface of the normal tissue. A freckle is an example of a macule.

Question 4

Papule

Answer 4

A small, circumscribed lesion usually less than 1cm in diameter that is elevated or protrudes above the surface of the normal surrounding tissue.

Question 5

Pedunculated

Answer 5

Attached by a stemlike or stalklike base similar to that of a mushroom,

Question 6

Pustules

Answer 6

Variously sized circumscribed elevations containing pus.

Question 7

Sessile

Answer 7

Describing that base of a lesion that is flat or broad instead of stemlike.

Question 8

Vesicle

Answer 8

A small, elevated lesion less than 1cm in diameter that contains serous fluid.

Question 9

Nodule

Answer 9

A palpable solid lesion up to 1cm in diameter found in soft tissue; it can occur above, level with, or beneath the skin surface.

Question 10

Palpation

Answer 10

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, semifirm, and fluid filled; these terms also describe the consistency of a lesion.

Question 11

Colors

Answer 11

Red, pink, salmon, white, blue-black, 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.

Question 12

Erythema

Answer 12

An abnormal redness of the mucosa or gingiva.

Question 13

Erythroplakia

Answer 13

A clinical term used to describe an oral mucosal lesion that appears as a smooth red patch or granular red and velvety patch.

Question 14

Leukoplakia

Answer 14

A clinical term for a white plaquelike lesion on the oral mucosa that cannot be rubbed off or diagnosed as a specific disease.

Question 15

Pallor

Answer 15

Paleness of the skin or mucosal tissues.

Question 16

Centimeter

Answer 16

One-hundredth of a meter; equivalent to a little less than one-half inch. If a lesion is described as being 3cm in size, it is really about one and one-half inches.

Question 17

Millimeter

Answer 17

One-thousandth of a meter; the periodontal probe is of great assistance in documenting the size or diameter of a lesion that can be measured in millimeters (general terms such as small, medium, or large are sometimes used, but these terms are not as specific).

Question 18

Corrugated

Answer 18

Wrinkled.

Question 19

Fissure

Answer 19

A cleft or groove, normal or otherwise, showing prominent depth.

Question 20

Papillary

Answer 20

Resembling small, nipple-shaped projections or elevations found in clusters.

Question 21

Smooth, rough, folded

Answer 21

Terms used to describe the surface texture of a lesion.

Question 22

Coalescence

Answer 22

The process by which parts of a whole join together, or fuse, to make one.

Question 23

Diffuse

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Multilocular

Answer 24

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; a multilocular radiolucency is sometimes described as soap bubbles; an odontogenic keratocyst often presents as a multilocular, radiolucent lesion.

Question 25

Radiolucent

Answer 25

Describes the black or dark area on a radiograph; radiant energy can pass through these structures; less dense tissue such as the pulp is seen as a radiolucent structure.

Question 26

Radiolucent and radiopaque

Answer 26

Terms used to describe a mixture of light and dark areas within a lesion, usually denoting a stage in the development of the lesion; for example, in a stage I periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia (cementoma), the lesion is radiolucent; in stage II it is radiolucent and radiopaque.

Question 27

Radiopaque

Answer 27

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 radiograph.

Question 28

Root resorption

Answer 28

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 resorption arises from tissues outside the tooth such as the periodontal ligament, whereas internal resorption 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.

Question 29

Scalloping around the root

Answer 29

A radiolucent lesion that extends between the roots, as seen in a traumatic bone cyst; this lesion appears to extend up the periodontal ligament.

Question 30

Unilocular

Answer 30

Having one compartment or unit that us well defined or outlined, as in simple radicular cyst.

Question 31

Well circumscribed

Answer 31

Term used to describe a lesion with borders that are specifically defined and in which one can clearly see the exact margins and extent.

Question 32

Anomaly

Answer 32

Something that deviates from what is standard or normal.

Question 33

Dysphagia

Answer 33

Difficulty swallowing.

Question 34

Dysphonia

Answer 34

Difficulty speaking.

Question 35

Dyspnea

Answer 35

Difficulty breathing.