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.
Radiolucent
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.
Radiolucent and radiopaque
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.
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 radiograph.
Root resorption
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.
Scalloping around the root
A radiolucent lesion that extends between the roots, as seen in a traumatic bone cyst; this lesion appears to extend up the periodontal ligament.
Unilocular
Having one compartment or unit that us well defined or outlined, as in simple radicular cyst.
Well circumscribed
Term used to describe a lesion with borders that are specifically defined and in which one can clearly see the exact margins and extent.
Anomaly
Something that deviates from what is standard or normal.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
Dysphonia
Difficulty speaking.
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing.