Oral Pathology

Reactive keratotic lesions (nonleukoplakias)

White mucosal lesions are some of the more commonly biopsied lesions and both benign and dysplastic lesions often pose a diagnostic challenge, and these are discussed in this and other chapters because of their varied etiologies. The term “leukoplakia” is…

Pigmented lesions

Extrinsic pigmentation Amalgam tattoos are by far the most common form of intramucosal extrinsic pigmentation seen in the oral cavity. A distant second is graphite tattoo from implanted pencil lead. Extrinsic surface pigmentation such as those caused by tea, coffee,…

Granulomatous, immune-mediated, and autoimmune conditions

Granulomatous inflammation True granulomas are clusters of activated histiocytes/macrophages with an epithelioid appearance with variable inflammation and often multinucleated giant cells. They have a wide range of etiologies and range from cholesterol granulomas within odontogenic cysts to tumor-like granulomas from…

Ulcerative and inflammatory conditions

Recurrent aphthous ulcers Most cases of recurrent aphthous ulcers are idiopathic and occur in 15% to 25% of the population, usually children, teenagers, and young adults. Trauma and stress, both physical and emotional, bring on episodes in susceptible individuals. However,…

Fibrous and gingival nodules

Fibrous lesions Fibroma (“bite” or “irritation” fibroma, fibroepithelial or fibrovascular polyp), and giant cell fibroma Clinical findings Fibroma: This occurs at any age group without sex predilection and consists of a dome-shaped nodule or papule that may be white/keratotic, mucosa-colored,…

Bacterial, viral, fungal, and other infectious conditions

Besides the common bacterial, fungal, and viral infections of the oral cavity, any infection that occurs in any part of the body may manifest in the mouth, including mycobacterial, treponemal, and protozoal infections, although they are uncommon and rarely occur…

Noninfectious papillary lesions

Giant cell fibroma This lesion may occur as a smooth-surfaced nodule or have a bossellated, multinodular, or papillary appearance and is discussed in Chapter 5 . Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia of the palatal mucosa Clinical findings This occurs in adults wearing…

Developmental and congenital conditions

Definitions Choristoma : An overgrowth of tissues that is mature and found in an area where such tissue is not usually present, such as an osseous or cartilaginous choristoma of the tongue. Hamartoma : An overgrowth of tissue that is…