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ORAL PATHOLOGY GLOSSARY
Abfraction: Loss of tooth surface at the cervical areas of teeth caused by tensile and compressive forces during tooth flexure; cervical erosive lesions that cannot be attributed to any particular cause. Abrasion: Abnormal loss of tooth structure due to non-masticatory physical friction. Abscess: A localized acumulation of pus caused by an infection. Acantholysis: Dissolution of the intercellular bridges of the prickle cell layer of the epithelium. Acanthosis: Excessive thickening of the intermediate cell layer resulting in broadening and elongation of the rete pegs. Acquired disturbances: Disturbances in the structure of enamel can occur as a result of environmental or hereditary factors. Acral lentiginous melanoma: A melanoma that is a brown irregularly shaped macular lesion of the unexposed skin of the hands and feet that undergoes progression to nodular melanoma.
Adenoid squamous cell carcinoma: A rapidly destructive inflammatory process within bone that consists of granulation tissue, purulent exudate, and islands of non-vital bone (sequestra). Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT): A well-circumscribed lesion derived from odontogenic epithelium that usually occurs around the crowns of unerupted anterior teeth of young patients and consists of epithelium in swirls and ductal patterns interspersed with spherical calcifications. Adenosquamous carcinoma: Rare, aggressive carcinoma of the mucosa consisting of a mixture of malignant squamous and glandular cells. Adult monostotic fibrous dysplasia: A rare form of fibrous dysplasia occurring spontaneously in adulthood. Agranulocytosis: A marked decrease in the number of granulocytes, particularly neutrophils. Allergen: A substance capable of inducing hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction. Allergy:
- A hypersensitive state acquired through exposure to a particular allergen.
- Re-exposure to the same allergen elicits an exaggerated reaction. Amalgam tattoo: Oral soft tissue discolorations due to amalgam; most common pigmentation of the oral cavity. Ameloblastic carcinoma: An aggressive neoplasm of the mandible or maxilla in which the epithelial cells exhibit cytologic features of common ameloblastoma and malignancy.
Pertaining to adult cells that have changed irreversibly toward more primitive cell types. Such changes are often malignant. Anaphylaxis: A type of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction in which the exaggerated immunologic reaction results from the release of vasoactive substances such as histaminThe reaction occurs on re-exposure to a foreign protein or other substance after sensitization. Anemia: Reduction to less than normal of the number of red blood cells, quantity of hemoglobin, to the volume of packed red blood cells in the blood. Aneurysmal bone cyst: An uncommon lesion (not a true cystic lesion) located primarily in the posterior mandible and maxilla with clinical features similar to central giant cell lesion; it contains many large blood-filled spaces separated by connective tissue septa containing giant cell tissue. Angioma: A tumor made up of blood or lymph vessels. Angiosarcoma: Malignant, rare, rapidly growing lesion of endothelial cells that is more common in young patients and has a poor prognosis. Ankyloglossia: Extensive adhesion of the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lingual aspect of the anterior portion of the mandible caused by a short lingual frenum. Ankylosed teeth: Teeth that are fused to the alveolar bone; a condition especially common with retained deciduous teeth. Anodontia:
Congenital condition in which all the teeth fail to develop. Anomaly: Deviation from normal. Antibiotic: Any substance produced by a microorganism which harms or kills another microorganism. Antibody: A protein produced in the body in response to stimulation by an antigen. Antibodies react specifically to antigens in an attempt to neutralize these foreign substances. Antigen: A substance, usually a protein that is recognized as foreign by the body’s immune system and stimulates formation of a specific antibody to the antigen. Aplasia: Absence of an organ or organ part due to failure of development of the embryonic tissue of origin. Apical periodontal cyst: An odontogenic cyst of inflammatory origin that is preceded by a chronic periapical granuloma and stimulation of rests of malassez present in the periodontal membran Asymptomatic: A lack of symptoms or complaints by the patient. Atrophic: A normally developed tissue that has decreased in size. Attrition: Loss of tooth structure due to mechanical action of mastication.
Benign fibrous histiocytoma: Benign neoplasm of fibroblasts with a propensity to differentiate into histiocytes. Benign lymphoepithelial cyst: A lymphoepithelial cyst commonly located intraorally on the posterior lateral tongue and the anterior floor of the mouth. Benign migratory glossitis: Multiple sensitive irregularly shaped erythematous patches on the tongue with arcuate white rims that enlarge and change shape daily. Biopsy: Excision of living tissue for the purpose of examination by a pathologist. Blanching: To take the color out of, and make white. Blue nevus: A benign pigmented lesion that presents as a dark blue dome-shaped papule or as a flat macule on the skin or mucosa. B lymphocyte: A lymphocyte, also called a b cell that matures without passing through the thymus. It matures into plasma cells that produce antibodies. Bohn’s nodules: Uncommon superficial raised nodules occur scattered over the hard palate near the border with the soft palate of infants that resolve without treatment; derived from rests of the dental lamina and consisting of keratin-producing epithelial lining. Brodie’s abscess: A chronic abscess walled off in sclerotic bone.
Branchial cleft cyst: An unusually large lymphoepithelial cyst located on the lateral aspect of the neck. Bruxism: A habit related to stress or a sleep disorder, characterized by grinding one’s teeth. Bony: Composed of or containing bone. Botryoid odontogenic cyst: A slow-growing, non-expansile developmental odontogenic cyst derived from one or more rests of the dental lamina, containing an embryonic lining of 1 to 3 cuboidal cells and distinctive focal thickenings (plaques). Buccal bifurcation cyst: A cyst of uncertain origin found primarily on the distal or facial aspect of a vital mandibular third molar, consisting of intensely inflamed connective tissue and epithelial lining. Bulimia: An eating and psychiatric compulsive disorder characterized by episodic binge eating of large volumes of food, followed by purging behavior such as self-induced vomiting, vigorous exercise and laxative or diuretic abuse. Bulla: A circumscribed elevated lesion that is more than 5 mm in diameter, usually contains serous fluid, and looks like a blister. Bull’s eye lesion: Skin lesions which are concentric rings resembling a circle within a circle; with a slightly depressed, dusky purple center, an elevated, surrounding macular erythema pale middle zone, and an erythematous border; usually associated with herpes simplex or mycoplasma infections.
The most severe stage of epithelial dysplasia, involving the entire thickness of the epithelium, with the epithelial basement membrane remaining intact. Caries: The progressive loss of tooth mineral, followed by bacterial invasion into the demineralized tooth. Carrier: In genetics, a heterozygous individual who is clinically normal but who can transmit a recessive trait or characteristic; also, a person who is homozygous for an autosomal dominant condition with low penetrance. Cellulitis: A painful swelling of the soft tissue of the mouth and face resulting from a diffuse spreading of purulent exudate along the fascial planes that separate the muscle bundles. Cell-mediated immunity: Immunity in which the predominant role is played by t lymphocytes. Cementoblastoma: A benign, well-circumscribed neoplasm of cementum-like tissue growing in continuity with the apical cemental layer of a molar or premolar that produce expansion of cortical plates and pain. Cemento-ossifying fibroma: A well-demarcated, encapsulated, expansile intraosseous lesion of the jaws composed of cellular fibrous tissue containing spherical calcifications and irregular, randomly oriented bony structures. Centimeter: The fundamental unit of distance in the metric system, equal to 0.01 meter. One centimeter is about 0.393 inch. Central:
In oral pathology, a lesion occurring within bone. Central calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: A locally aggressive tumor consisting of strands and medullary patterns of squamous and clear cells that are often accompanied by spherical calcifications and amyloid- staining hyaline deposits. Central giant cell lesion: An intraosseous destructive lesion of the anterior mandible and maxilla in which larger lesions expand the cortical plates, cause movement of teeth, and produce root resorption; composed of multinucleated giant cells in a background of mononuclear fibro-histiocytic cells and red blood cells. Central odontogenic fibroma: An intraosseous benign neoplasm derived from connective tissue of odontogenic origin containing widely scattered islands and strands of embryonic odontogenic epithelium and calcifications. Centromere: The constricted portion of the chromosome that divides the short arms from the long arms. Cervical lymphoepithelial cyst: An unusually large lymphoepithelial cyst located on the lateral aspect of the neck. Cervical enamel projection: Focal apical extensions of the coronal enamel beyond the normally smooth cervical margin and on to the root of the tooth. Cheesy: Lesion’s texture is similar to curds of cheese. Chemotaxis: Taxis or movement in response to chemical stimulation.
Chronic osteomyelitis: Prolonged inflammation of bone marrow, almost invariably due to infection. Chronic pulpitis: An inflammation of the pulp caused by injury to the pulp, usually from dental caries or trauma. Clear cell calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: A locally aggressive tumor consisting of strands and medullary patterns of squamous and clear cells that are often accompanied by spherical calcifications and amyloid- staining hyaline deposits. Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma: A rare neoplasm of the jaw with malignant potential and unknown cytogenetic alterations. Cleft lip: A developmental defect characterized by the failure of fusion of median nasal process and maxillary process. Cleft palate: A developmental defect of the palate characterized by a lack of complete fusion of the two lateral portions of the palate, resulting in a communication with the nasal cavity. Cleidocranial dysplasia: A rare condition inherited as an autosomal dominant and characterized by partial or complete absence of the clavicles, defective ossification of the skull, and faulty occlusion due to missing, misplaced, or supernumerary teeth. Consanguinity: Blood relationship. In genetics, the term is generally used to describe matings or marriages among close relatives.
Cotton wool: Confluent radiopacities Crouzon syndrome: An uncommon, autosomal dominant craniofacial disorder characterized by craniosynostosis and dysmorphic facial features. Cyst: A pathologic epithelium-lined cavity, usually containing fluid or semisolid. Cystic hygroma: Anomaly of the lymphatic system characterized by single or multiple cysts within the soft tissues, usually involving the neck. Cytologic: Pertaining to the scientific study of cells. Cytology: The scientific study of structures within the cell. Cytopathic: Pertaining to or characterized by pathologic changes in cells. Degeneration: Reversible pathologic changes with cells. Delayed eruption: Appearance of deciduous or permanent teeth relative to the normal age rang Dentinogenesis: The formation of dentin.
A hereditary defect consisting of opalescent teeth composed of irregularly formed and undermineralized dentin that obliterates the coronal and root pulpal chambers. Deoxyribonucleic: (DNA) substance composed of a double chain of polynucleotides; both chains coiled around a central axis form a double helix. DNA is the basic genetic code or template for amino acid formation. Dermoid cyst: A cyst of the midline of the upper neck or the anterior floor of the mouth of young patients, derived from remnants of embryonic skin, consisting of a lumen lined by a keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium & containing one or more skin appendages such as hair, sweat, or sebaceous glands. Desmoplastic fibroma: Benign diffuse infiltrative proliferation of fibroblasts and mature collagen occurring primarily within the mandible in young patients. Differential diagnosis: A list of possible diseases that fit the information derived from examination of a patient. Diffentiation: The distinguishing of one thing from another. Diffuse: In the description of a lesion, borders of the lesion are not well defined, and it is not possible to detect the exact parameters of the lesion. Dilaceration: An abnormal bend or curve, as in the root of a tooth. Diploid:
Having two sets of chromosomes; the normal constitution of somatic cells. Dominant: In genetics, a trait or characteristic that is manifested when it is carried by only one of a pair of homologous chromosomes. Dry mouth: Decreased saliva production. Dorsal: Directed toward or situated on the back surface (opposite of ventral). Double lip: Anomaly characterized by a horizontal fold of redundant mucosal tissue located on the inner aspect of the upper lip. Down syndrome: A common and easily recognizable chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21 and presents mild to moderate mental retardation and associated medical problems. Drug induced gingival hyperplasia: Generalized increase in the fibrous component of the gingiva in patients who have been taking long-term doses of phenytoin (dilantin), cyclosporine and nifedipinPersistent dental plaque, calculus (tartar) and gingival irritation increase the severity of the hyperplasia. Dry socket: A condition sometimes occurring after tooth extraction, particularly after traumatic extraction, resulting in a dry appearance of the exposed bone in the socket, due to disintegration or loss of the blood clot. Dysplasia:
A defect in tooth enamel that results in less quantity of enamel than normal. Enamel pearl: Ectopic nodular deposits of enamel that primarily occur in the bifurcation or trifurcation areas on the roots of molars Epidermoid cyst: A cyst of skin with a lumen lined by keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, usually filled with keratin and without skin appendages in the capsule wall. Epstein’s pearls: Uncommon superficial raised nodules on the midline of the hard palate of infants that resolve without treatment; derived from rests of the dental lamina and consisting of keratin-producing epithelial lining. Epulis fissuratum: Proliferation of fibrous connective tissue with an associated chronic inflammation in response to chronic injury. Epithelium: The cellular makeup of skin and mucous membranes. Endodermal: Pertaining to the innermost of the three primitive germ layers of an embryo. Endodermal structures include the epithelium of the pharynx, respiratory tract (except the nose), and the digestive tract. Epithelial dysplasia: A premalignant change in epithelium characterized by a combination of individual cell and architectural alterations. Erosion: The wearing away of teeth through the action of chemical substances, or a denudation of epithelium above the basal cell layer.
Eruption cyst: An odontogenic cyst with the histologic features of a dentigerous cyst that surrounds a tooth’s crown that has erupted through bone but not soft tissue and is clinically visible as a soft fluctuant mass on the alveolar ridges. Eruption sequestrum: A small spicule of calcified tissue that is extruded through the alveolar mucosa that overlies an erupting molar. Erythema: An abnormal redness of the mucosa or gingiva. Erythematous: Characterized by a redness of the tissue due to engorgement of the capillaries in the region. Erythematous lesions blanch on diascopy. Erythroplakia: A chronic red oral mucosal patch usually not attributed to traumatic, vascular or inflammatory causes but frequently caused by epithelial dysplasia, ca in situ, or squamous cell carcinoma. Erthroplastic: Characterized by a reddish appearancThis term implies abnormal tissue proliferation in the reddish area. Esinophilic granuloma: A probable neoplastic proliferation of langerhans type of histiocytic cells with a wide spectrum of biological behavior ranging from a single lesion of the mandible to diffusely distributed bone lesions in combination with organ and other soft tissue lesions; consists of s-100 positive histiocytes containing birbeck granules and accumulations of eosinophils. Etiology: The study or theory of the factors that cause disease and their introduction to the host.
