Oral Pathology Descriptive Terms

erosion (abrasion)

partial loss of epithelium, basal layer intact

coalescing

growing together and become one large lesion, common in viral lesions

exophytic

lesions grow outward from the surface tissue (ex. nodules, papules)

macule

flat lesion, usually pigmented

papule

small circumscribed, elevated lesion, <5 mm diameter, usually white or pink, usually in CT

pustule

contains pus

neoplasm

tumor/growth

erythematic

red

endogenous

pigmentation from within the body

exudate

a fluid that contains cells, proteins, and other solid materials, which leaks from blood vessels into nearby tissues

induration

hardening

patch

flat, well-defined area on the oral mucosa that is larger than a macule (< 5mm) but not typically raised like a plaque

ulcer

full thickness loss of epithelial covering, floor may appear yellow, gray, white, or red

corrugated

rippled, wrinkled, folded, or ridged surface

endophytic

lesions grow into the surrounding tissues and present as a palpable mass with or without any noticeable swelling

purulent (suppurative)

acute, pus-forming, bacterial infection

lesion

a wound or distinct area in which a pathologic change has taken place

pedunculated

base is narrower than the widest part of a lesion, on a stalk

bulla

large raised fluid-filled lesion, >5 mm in diameter, usually seem with pemphigus/pemphigoid

crusted

scab

fissured

consists of many deep crevices

nodule

large elevated lesion, circumscribed, submucosal, >5 mm, usually pink

plaque

slightly elevated, flat topped, usually involves epithelium

vesicle

small raised fluid-filled lesion, <5 mm in diameter, usually contains pus, usually viral

circumscribed

well-defined

exogenous

pigmentation from an outside source

fluctuant

fluid-filled lesion that moves fluid from one area to another when pressed

lymphadenopathy

enlarged, indurated, and tender lymph nodes

papillary

numerous rounded surface projections ("cauliflower-like"), usually arises from a thin stalk

psuedomembrane

scab that covers the surface of a lesion and can be wiped off

sessile

base is the widest part of the lesion

discrete

separate from each other

focal

localized

diffuse

generalized

verrucous

rough or wart-like surface, "cupped" borders

serous

acute, thin, protein-poor fluid (burn blister)

fibrinous

acute, due to incr vessel permeability, deposition of fibrin-rich exudate on surface of tissue, may scar if unresolved

nonspecific (diffuse)

infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages w ongoing tissue damage and repair

granulomatous

aggregates of epithelioid macrophages +/- giant cells, surrounded by lymphocytes

caseating

aka necrotic, tuberculosis

non-caseating

sarcoidosis, foreign body

type I immune reaction

immediate/anaphylactic

type II immune reaction

cytotoxic/antibody-mediated/auto-immune

type III immune reaction

immune complex-mediated

type IV immune reaction

delayed/cell-mediated

neoplasia

new growth

adenoma

benign epithelial neoplasm producing gland patterns

papilloma

benign epithelial neoplasms that produce microscopic finger-like projections

polyp

benign mass that projects above a mucosal surface

sarcoma

malignant neoplasm arising in solid mesenchymal tissue

lymphoma/leukemia

malignant neoplasm arising from mesenchymal cells of the blood

carcinoma

malignant neoplasm of epithelial cells ex. adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma

teratoma

derive from more than one germ layer

hamartoma

nonneoplastic overgrowth of disorganized tissue indigenous to a particular site

choristoma

mass of nonneoplastic tissue in a foreign location

parenchyma

neoplastic component that determines biological behavior

stroma

nonneoplastic supporting tissue