Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - Basic Definitions
- Macule - discolored but non-elevated patch of skin/mucosa
- Plaque - slightly elevated abnormal patch
- Nodule - large, solid, elevated mass in excess of 5mm
- Verrucous - characterized by formation of warty lesions
- Vesicle - small membranous fluid-filled pouch
- Bulla - larger singular fluid-filled pouch
- Pustule - pus-containing circumscribed elevated of the mucosa
- Ulcer - break in skin or mucosa with disintegration past the epithelium
- Erosion - break in skin or mucosa that doesn't pass the epithelium
- Fissure - slit in tissue past the epithelium
- Petechia - minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood as a consequence of localized hemorrhage
- Ecchymosis - discoloration of skin or mucosa resulting from bleeding underneath
- Cyst - closed sac lined by epithelium and developing abnormally into a cavity
- Abscess - pus-containing cavity
- Neoplasms
- Adenonoma - glandular in origin
- Adenocarcinoma - glandular in origin, not necessarily benign
- Carcinoma - originates in epithelium
- Sarcoma - originates in mesenchymal tissue
- Fibroma - benign tumor composed of fibrous connective tissue
- Squamous cell carcinoma - most common cancer of the oral cavity