Oral Pathology: Diagnosis, Lesions, and Diseases of Soft Tissues, Comprehensive Guide to Oral Pathology: Tongue Conditions, Oral Cancers, HIV/AIDS, Developmental and Habits Disorders

What is the definition of a lesion?

An abnormal tissue in the oral cavity, which can be a wound, sore, or any tissue damage.

What are the oral manifestations of pernicious anemia?

Angular cheilitis, mucosal ulceration, loss of papillae on the tongue, and a burning sensation.

What is ankyloglossia?

Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, results from a short lingual frenum, limiting tongue movement.

What are common conditions that lead to candidiasis?

Antibiotic therapy, diabetes, xerostomia, and weakened immunologic reactions.

What defines a tumor?

Any mass of tissue that grows beyond normal size and serves no useful purpose; may be benign or malignant.

What is a plaque in medical terms?

Any patch or flat area that is slightly raised from the surface.

What is attrition in dental terms?

Attrition is the normal wearing away of tooth structure during mastication.

What is the healing time for candidiasis with antifungal therapy?

Begins to resolve within 2 to 3 days, with complete clearing after 10 to 14 days.

What are the characteristics of lichen planus?

Benign, chronic disease affecting skin and oral mucosa, with characteristic patchy white lesions.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is an oral habit of involuntary gnashing, grinding, and clenching of teeth.

What is candidiasis and its significance in HIV/AIDS?

Candidiasis is often the initial oral sign of progression from HIV-positive status to AIDS and can be debilitating in immunocompromised patients.

What are aphthous ulcers also known as?

Canker sores.

What does cervical lymphadenopathy indicate in HIV/AIDS patients?

Cervical lymphadenopathy indicates systemic problems and is frequently seen in association with AIDS.

What is the role of chemotherapy in oral cancer treatment?

Chemotherapeutic agents destroy or deactivate rapidly dividing cancer cells, often affecting oral tissues.

What are the steps taken when making a diagnosis?

Collect historical information, examine clinical appearances, identify oral conditions via radiographs, consider biopsy rationale, and understand laboratory testing.

What are the clinical features used in clinical diagnosis?

Color, size, shape, and location of the lesion.

What are the characteristics of a healthy tongue?

Color: Light pink or red; Surface: Smooth with papillae; Moisture: Slight sheen; Shape: Rounded and symmetrical.

What are common oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS?

Common oral lesions include HIV gingivitis, HIV periodontitis, candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi sarcoma, and herpes simplex.

What causes oral lesions in HIV/AIDS patients?

Depletion of T-helper cells leading to opportunistic infections and autoimmune-like diseases.

What is a historical diagnosis?

Diagnosis based on personal, family, medical, and dental histories.

What is a clinical diagnosis?

Diagnosis based on the clinical appearance of the lesion, including color, size, shape, and location.

What is surgical diagnosis?

Diagnosis made based on findings from a surgical procedure.

What is a microscopic diagnosis?

Diagnosis made by evaluating tissue samples (biopsies) under a microscope.

What is therapeutic diagnosis?

Diagnosis made by observing the response to a specific treatment or drug.

What is a laboratory diagnosis?

Diagnosis made from clinical specimens obtained from secretions, blood, or tissue.

What is a radiographic diagnosis?

Diagnosis using imaging techniques to reveal abnormalities in soft and hard tissues.

What is a common symptom of candidiasis?

Discomfort or pain, halitosis, and dysgeusia.

What is the significance of early detection of oral cancer?

Early detection is crucial as oral cancers can be fatal if untreated.

What are the early symptoms of oral mpox (monkeypox)?

Early symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, and painful vesicles/ulcers in the mouth.

What is the appearance of erythematous candidiasis?

Erythematous candidiasis presents as flat red patches, commonly on the hard palate and dorsal surface of the tongue.

What is exostosis?

Exostosis is a benign bony growth projecting outward from the surface of a bone.

What is HIV gingivitis?

HIV gingivitis is characterized by atypical gingivitis, often presenting as a red line that progresses from the free gingival margin to the attached gingiva.

What are the characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions?

HPV lesions appear as warts, often spiky or cauliflower-like, and are common in immunocompromised individuals.

What is hairy leukoplakia and its significance?

Hairy leukoplakia is a white plaque on the tongue, often indicating HIV positivity and can be an early sign of progression to AIDS.

What are the oral symptoms of leukemia?

Hemorrhage, ulceration, gingival enlargement, and magenta coloration of the gingiva.

What are the oral manifestations of herpes simplex in immunocompromised patients?

Herpes simplex lesions may occur throughout the mouth, not just on the lip, in immunocompromised patients.

What are the oral signs of herpes zoster?

Herpes zoster presents with painful blisters inside the mouth that break into ulcers, often appearing on both sides.

What indicates a benign nodule during palpation?

If the nodule can be rolled.

What are the types of biopsy techniques?

Incisional biopsy, excisional biopsy, and punch biopsy.

What is a characteristic feature of erosive lichen planus?

It can cause erosive lesions on the gingiva that worsen with emotional stress.

What is the significance of family history in oral pathology?

It can reveal genetic disorders or conditions affecting oral health.

What is the importance of differential diagnosis in dentistry?

It helps to identify the correct condition among those that share similar symptoms.

What is the importance of laboratory testing for oral infections?

It provides crucial information for diagnosing different types of oral infections.

What is the significance of leukoplakia in terms of cancer risk?

It very often precedes the development of a malignant tumor.

What is Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma is an opportunistic infection in HIV patients, presenting as bluish, blackish, or reddish blotches in the oral cavity.

What are the classifications of oral lesions?

Lesions can be classified as below, above, even with the mucosal surface, or raised/flat.

What is lymphoma in the context of HIV/AIDS?

Lymphoma refers to malignant disorders of lymphoid tissue, which can appear as lumps, swellings, or nonhealing ulcers in the oral cavity.

What is macrognathia?

Macrognathia is characterized by abnormally large jaws, often resulting in class III malocclusion.

What are the oral effects of methamphetamine use?

Methamphetamine use can lead to 'meth mouth,' characterized by rampant caries and severe oral health effects.

What is micrognathia?

Micrognathia is characterized by abnormally small jaws, often resulting in class II malocclusion.

Who can diagnose pathologic conditions?

Only a dentist or physician.

What are the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS?

Oral lesions due to opportunistic infections and tumors resulting from immune system breakdown.

What does a pustule contain?

Pus.

What dental problems can arise from radiation therapy?

Radiation mucositis, xerostomia, radiation caries, and osteoradionecrosis.

What symptoms are associated with cellulitis?

Rapid swelling, high fever, redness of the skin, and severe throbbing pain.

What are the signs of inflammation?

Redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

What are the dangers of oral piercings?

Risk of infection, allergic reactions, and damage to oral tissues.

What are the signs of methamphetamine use in the oral cavity?

Severe dental decay, gum disease, and oral lesions.

What are petechiae?

Small pinpoint, round spots that appear due to bleeding; 1-2 mm in size.

What is the typical appearance of minor recurrent aphthous ulcers?

Small, oval ulcers with a yellow to gray center and red margin.

What are nodules?

Small, round, solid lesions that may appear below the surface or slightly elevated.

What does atrophic candidiasis appear as?

Smooth red patches on the dorsal areas of the tongue and palate.

What are the common treatments for oral cancer?

Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, often in combination.

What are the symptoms of HIV periodontitis?

Symptoms include interproximal necrosis, marked swelling, intense erythema, pain, spontaneous bleeding, and bad breath.

What is ecchymosis?

The medical term for bruising.

What is oral pathology?

The study of diseases in the oral cavity.

What is the role of radiographic images in diagnosing oral conditions?

They supplement the diagnosis process by revealing abnormalities.

What happens to blisters in the oral cavity?

They tend to rupture, leaving ulcers with ragged edges.

What is pseudomembranous candidiasis also known as?

Thrush.

What is the rationale for performing a biopsy?

To determine the nature of a suspicious lesion, especially to check for malignancy.

What is the role of a dental assistant in oral pathology?

To recognize differences between normal and abnormal conditions in the mouth.

What are common risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, and HPV infection.

What is torus mandibularis?

Torus mandibularis is a bony overgrowth on the lingual surface of the mandible near the premolar and molar areas.

What is torus palatinus?

Torus palatinus is a bony overgrowth at the midline of the hard palate.

What are blisters filled with?

Watery fluid.

What are the clinical appearances of early oral cancer lesions?

White areas, red areas (erythroplakia), masses, and abnormal pigmentation.

What is an ulcer?

A break in the mucosa that appears as a punched-out area.

What is leukemia?

A cancer of the blood-forming organs characterized by rapid growth of immature leukocytes.

What is an abscess?

A collection of pus in a specific area, often at the apex of a tooth.

What is cellulitis?

A condition of uncontrolled inflammation in a localized area that spreads through soft tissue or organ.

What is pernicious anemia?

A condition where the body does not absorb vitamin B12, leading to symptoms like fatigue and oral manifestations.

What is geographic tongue?

A condition where the tongue loses areas of filiform papillae in irregular patterns, resembling a map.

What is a cyst in dentistry?

A fluid or semisolid, fluid-filled sac that may form around the crown of an unerupted tooth.

What is glossitis?

A general term for inflammation and changes in the topography of the tongue.

What is black hairy tongue?

A harmless condition where filiform papillae appear hairy, often due to poor oral hygiene or other factors.

What is xerostomia?

A lack of adequate saliva that can lead to oral infections and difficulties wearing dentures.

What is a patch in oral mucosa?

A lesion that lies flat or even with the surface and is a well-defined area of discoloration.

What is differential diagnosis?

A list of possible conditions that share the same symptoms, used to rule out incorrect causes.

What is a hematoma?

A localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels due to trauma or injury.

What is sarcoma?

A malignant neoplasm arising from supportive and connective tissue.

What is carcinoma in the context of oral cancer?

A malignant neoplasm of the epithelium that invades surrounding tissues, appearing as white or ulcerated areas.

What is adenocarcinoma?

A malignant tumor from the glands underlying the oral mucosa, appearing as a lump beneath normal mucosa.

What is osteosarcoma?

A malignant tumor involving the bone, often affecting the jaws.

What is erosion of the soft tissue?

A shallow injury in the mucosa caused by mechanical trauma.

What is candidiasis?

A superficial infection caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans.

What is a granuloma?

A type of nodule that contains granulation tissue, often found on the gingival surface.

What is fissured tongue?

A variation of normal with deep fissures or grooves on the tongue, possibly due to vitamin deficiency or chronic trauma.

What is leukoplakia?

A white patch that can occur anywhere in the mouth, often linked to chronic irritation or trauma.

What is abrasion in dental terms?

Abrasion refers to abnormal wearing away of tooth structure.

Differentiate between acute and chronic inflammation.

Acute inflammation is short-lasting with minimal injury, while chronic inflammation continues due to ongoing injury or irritation.