Introduction to Preliminary Diagnosis of Oral Lesions Flashcards
Bulla
a circumscribed, elevated lesion that is more than 5mm in diameter, usually contains serous fluid, and looks like a blister.
Lobule
A segment or lobe that is part of the whole; these lobes sometimes appear fused together.
Macule
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.
Papule
A small, circumscribed lesion usually less than 1cm in diameter that is elevated or protrudes above the surface of the normal surrounding tissue.
Pedunculated
Attached by a stemlike or stalklike base similar to that of a mushroom,
Pustules
Variously sized circumscribed elevations containing pus.
Sessile
Describing that base of a lesion that is flat or broad instead of stemlike.
Vesicle
A small, elevated lesion less than 1cm in diameter that contains serous fluid.
Nodule
A palpable solid lesion up to 1cm in diameter found in soft tissue; it can occur above, level with, or beneath the skin surface.
Palpation
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.
Colors
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.
Erythema
An abnormal redness of the mucosa or gingiva.
Erythroplakia
A clinical term used to describe an oral mucosal lesion that appears as a smooth red patch or granular red and velvety patch.
Leukoplakia
A clinical term for a white plaquelike lesion on the oral mucosa that cannot be rubbed off or diagnosed as a specific disease.
Pallor
Paleness of the skin or mucosal tissues.
Centimeter
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.
Millimeter
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).
Corrugated
Wrinkled.
Fissure
A cleft or groove, normal or otherwise, showing prominent depth.
Papillary
Resembling small, nipple-shaped projections or elevations found in clusters.
Smooth, rough, folded
Terms used to describe the surface texture of a lesion.
Coalescence
The process by which parts of a whole join together, or fuse, to make one.
Diffuse
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.
Multilocular
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.