Descriptive Terminology for Oral Mucosal Lesions
This post is primarily for oral healthcare providers – dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, assistants, etc.
When we (oral healthcare providers) identify an abnormality or a variation of normal anatomy while examining a patient, we are responsible for documenting our findings using appropriate descriptors and terminology.
MedicineNet defines a lesion as “an area of abnormal tissue change.” Therefore, when we document our findings as lesions without clarifying the specific type of tissue change, we leave out crucial details that may impact communication and care delivery.
Let’s imagine that you are traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, for the first time. Your aunt who lives there promises to pick you up from the airport on arrival. It would not be helpful if she told you to watch out for her car without giving you precise details of the type of car she would be driving and the color. The same goes for documenting oral mucosal findings as lesions without specifying the type of lesion.
Below is a glossary of descriptive terminology for oral mucosal lesions.
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I hope you find it helpful.
Until next time.
Dr. Chizobam Idahosa
Descriptive Terminology for Oral Mucosal Lesions
Term | Definition |
Abscess | A localized collection of purulent exudate |
Bulla | Fluid-filled elevated lesion greater than 5mm in diameter |
Ecchymosis | Red/purple macular area of submucosal hemorrhage/ extravasated blood |
Endophytic | A lesion that is growing inwards into the underlying tissue |
Erosion | Partial loss of the surface epithelium not extending through the full thickness |
Erythema | Redness of the mucosa usually caused by inflammation, atrophy of capillary dilatation |
Fissure | Linear slit or groove in the skin or mucosa |
Fistula | Abnormal tract connecting two body cavities or connecting a body cavity to the body surface permitting passage of fluid and secretions including pus |
Fixed | A lesion that is firmly attached to the overlying or underlying structures |
Hematoma | A localized swelling filled with blood |
Indurated | Hardening of soft tissue usually due to chronic inflammation or malignancy |
Macule | Circumscribed discolored flat lesion not raised above level of surrounding mucosa |
Mass | Circumscribed elevated solid lesion more than 2cm in diameter “tumor-like” |
Mobile | A lesion that is freely movable and not attached to the overlying or underlying structures |
Nodule | Circumscribed elevated solid lesion more than 5mm in diameter, but less than 2cm |
Papillary | A lesion that has numerous surface projections |
Papule | Circumscribed elevated solid lesion less than 5mm in diameter |
Pedunculated | Exophytic lesion whose base is narrower than the widest part of the lesion |
Petechiae | Pin-point red or purple spots caused by submucosal hemorrhage |
Plaque | Slightly elevated area of mucosa with a flat surface |
Pustule | Circumscribed raised lesion containing pus |
Reticular | Resembling a net |
Sessile | Exophytic lesion whose base is the widest part of the lesion |
Ulcer | Break in continuity of the oral mucosa due to loss of full thickness of oral epithelium resulting in exposure of underlying connective tissue which is usually coated by a white or yellow membrane |
Verrucous | An exophytic lesion with rough wartlike projections |
Vesicle | Fluid-filled elevated lesion less than 5mm in diameter |
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