Introduction to Preliminary Diagnosis of Oral Lesions

Question 1

What is a Bulla?

Answer 1

a circumscribed, elevated lesion that is more than 5 mm in diameter, usually contains serous fluid, and looks like a blister
Not something commonly seen in intraoral/extraoral environment.

Question 2

What is a lobule?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what is a macula(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(ephilides) is an example of a macule.

Question 4

what is a papule?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

what is a pustule?

Answer 5

Variously sized circumscribed elevations containing pus

Question 6

Pedunculated

Answer 6

attached by a stemlike or stalk base similar to that of a mushroom.

Question 7

what is a sessile?

Answer 7

These are lesions you will commonly come across in practice.
Describing the base of a lesion that is flat or broad instead of stemlike.

Question 8

what is a vesicle?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what is a nodule?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

palpation

Answer 10

The evaluation 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; these terms also describe the consistency of a lesion.

Question 11

erythema

Answer 11

abnormal redness of mucosa or gingiva.

Question 12

pallor

Answer 12

paleness of the skin or mucosal tissues

Question 13

corrugated

Answer 13

wrinkled

Question 14

fissure

Answer 14

a cleft or groove, normal or otherwise showing prominent depth

Question 15

papillary

Answer 15

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

Question 16

coalescence

Answer 16

radiographic term to describe lesion in bone.
the process by which parts of a whole join together or fuse to make one.

Question 17

Diffuse

Answer 17

radiographic term to describe lesions in bone.
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 18

multilocular

Answer 18

radiographic term to describe lesions in bone.
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 resembling soap bubbles; an odontogenic keratocyst often presents as a multilocular radiolucent lesion

Question 19

root resorption

Answer 19

the apex of the tooth appears shortened or blunted and irregularly shaped; it occurs as a response to stimuli, which can include a cyst, tumor, or trauma

Question 20

external resorption

Answer 20

arises from tissue outside the tooth such as the PDL

Question 21

internal resorption

Answer 21

triggered by pulpal tissue reaction from within the tooth.

Question 22

scalloping around the root

Answer 22

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 23

unilocular

Answer 23

Having one compartment or unit that is well defined or outlined as in a simple radicular cyst

Question 24

well circumscribed

Answer 24

describe a lesion with borders that are specifically designed and in which one can clearly see the exact margins and extent

Question 25

erythoplakia

Answer 25

a clinical term used to describe an oral mucosal lesion that appears as a smooth red patch or granular, red and velvety patch that cannot be rubbed off or diagnosed as a specific disease.

Question 26

leukoplakia

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

eight categories for a diagnosis

Answer 27

1. clinical
2. radiographic
3. historical
4. laboratory
5. microscopic
6. surgical
7. therapeutic
8. differential findings

Question 28

what is differential diagnosis?

Answer 28

is where the practitioner decides which test or procedure is required to rule out the conditions originally suspected and to establish the definitive or final diagnosis.

Question 29

Fordyce granules

Answer 29

clusters of ectopic sebaceous glands; most commonly observed on the lips/buccal mucosa; clinically appear as tiny yellow papules in clusters; asymptomatic and require no treatment.

Question 30

torus palatinus

Answer 30

example of exostosis; is an exophytic growth of normal compact bone; benign; occur more in women, native Americans, Asians, Inuits; asymptomatic; diagnosed through clinical examination

Question 31

mandibular tori

Answer 31

outgrowths of normal dense bone found on the lingual aspect; are bilateral in more than 90%; often lobulated; diagnosed through clinical examination.

Question 32

retrocuspid papilla

Answer 32

is a sessile papule found on the gingival margin of the lingual aspect of mandibular cuspids; observed more often in the young and resolves with age; clinically often resemble squamous papilloma;

Question 33

lingual varicosities

Answer 33

prominent lingual veins; usually observed on the ventral and lateral surfaces of the tongue; clinically red-to-purple enlarged vessels/clusters are seen; more commonly observed in individuals over 60 years of age;

Question 34

linea alba

Answer 34

a “white line” that extends anteroposteriorly on the buccal mucosa along the occlusal plane. It may be bilateral and can be more prominent in patients who have a clenching or bruxing habit

Question 35

white hairy tongue

Answer 35

is a condition in which the patient has an increased accumulation of keratin on the filiform papillae; may be the result of either an increase in keratin production or a decrease in normal desquamation;

Question 36

black hairy tongue

Answer 36

, the papillae are a brown-to-black color because of chromogenic bacteria; Although the cause is unknown, hydrogen peroxide, bismuth subsalicylates for upset stomach, alcohol, or chemical rinses have been suggested to stimulate the elongation of the filiform papillae that results in the appearance.