ABOMP Oral Pathology flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Leukoplakia definition

A predominantly white oral patch or plaque that cannot be clinically or pathologically attributed to any other definable disease; it is a clinical diagnosis requiring biopsy to assess dysplasia.

Erythroplakia significance

A red velvety mucosal patch with no identifiable cause that carries a high risk of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ, so it should be biopsied promptly.

Amalgam tattoo features

A flat blue-gray macule on the gingiva or alveolar mucosa adjacent to restored teeth, caused by amalgam particle implantation; biopsy only if atypical or changing.

Pemphigus vulgaris presentation

Autoimmune blistering disease with flaccid intraepithelial bullae, oral erosions that often precede skin lesions, and a positive Nikolsky sign.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid

Autoimmune subepithelial blistering disorder causing desquamative gingivitis and ocular or genital involvement; direct immunofluorescence shows linear IgG and C3 at the basement membrane.

Trigeminal neuralgia features

Paroxysmal lancinating unilateral facial pain in a trigeminal division distribution, triggered by touch, chewing, or temperature, with no sensory deficit on examination.

Sjögren syndrome oral signs

Autoimmune exocrinopathy producing xerostomia, xerophthalmia, parotid enlargement, and increased caries risk; anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies are commonly positive.

Squamous cell carcinoma histology

Invasive nests of atypical squamous epithelial cells with keratin pearl formation, intercellular bridges, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitotic figures extending into connective tissue.

Verrucous carcinoma features

A well-differentiated squamous carcinoma variant with broad pushing rete ridges, heavy keratinization, minimal cytologic atypia, and no true basement membrane invasion.

Odontogenic keratocyst histology

A cyst lined by uniform parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with a corrugated surface, palisaded hyperchromatic basal cells, and frequent satellite cysts in the fibrous wall.

Ameloblastoma histology

Odontogenic epithelial islands with peripheral palisading, reverse nuclear polarity, and subnuclear vacuolization in a fibrous stroma, showing follicular or plexiform patterns.

Pleomorphic adenoma histology

A benign salivary tumor with mixed epithelial and myoepithelial cells in a chondromyxoid stroma; the capsule may be incomplete, contributing to recurrence after enucleation.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma grading

A salivary malignancy containing mucous, intermediate, and epidermoid cells; low-grade tumors are cystic and well-differentiated, while high-grade tumors are solid with atypia and necrosis.

Lichen planus histology

A band-like lymphocytic infiltrate at the epithelial-connective tissue interface with basal cell liquefactive degeneration, colloid bodies, and saw-tooth rete ridges.

Giant cell granuloma histology

A lesion of multinucleated giant cells in a vascular fibrous stroma; it is histologically identical to a brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism, requiring laboratory exclusion.

Epulis fissuratum histology

Fibrous hyperplasia of the mucosa with collagenized stroma and variable chronic inflammation, occurring at denture borders; no dysplasia is present.

Dysplasia grading criteria

Architectural and cytologic atypia including loss of polarity, basal cell hyperplasia, nuclear pleomorphism, hyperchromatism, and abnormal mitoses; severe dysplasia extends into the middle third.

Fibroma histology

A well-circumscribed nodule of dense collagenous connective tissue covered by normal stratified squamous epithelium, representing a reactive fibrous hyperplasia rather than a true neoplasm.

Incisional versus excisional biopsy

Incisional biopsy samples part of a lesion and is preferred for large or suspicious lesions; excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion and is used for small well-defined masses.

Two-week ulcer rule

Any oral ulcer persisting more than two weeks after removal of local irritants should be biopsied or referred for specialist evaluation to exclude malignancy.

Ludwig angina management

A rapidly spreading bilateral submandibular and sublingual cellulitis with floor-of-mouth elevation; treatment requires airway protection, incision and drainage, and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Odontogenic infection antibiotics

Penicillin V or amoxicillin is first-line for odontogenic infection; add metronidazole or use amoxicillin-clavulanate for anaerobic coverage in severe or spreading cases.

MRONJ definition

Exposed bone or bone probed through a fistula in the maxillofacial region persisting more than eight weeks in a patient on antiresorptive or antiangiogenic therapy without radiation history.

Osteoradionecrosis definition

Exposed irradiated bone persisting more than three months without evidence of tumor recurrence, often precipitated by extraction or trauma after head and neck radiotherapy.

Sialolithiasis management

Small distal submandibular stones may pass with hydration and sialogogues; larger or proximal stones require sialendoscopy, lithotripsy, or surgical removal.

Recurrent aphthous ulcer therapy

Topical corticosteroids are first-line; systemic agents such as colchicine, dapsone, or immunomodulators are reserved for severe or refractory recurrent disease.

Oral cancer staging workup

Imaging includes CT or MRI of the primary site and neck nodal assessment; early T1N0 disease may be treated with single-modality surgery, while advanced disease needs multimodality therapy.

Post-extraction bleeding steps

Apply firm gauze pressure, inspect for retained root or vascular lesion, and screen for coagulopathy if bleeding persists despite adequate local measures.

Neck mass red flags

Features suggesting malignancy include size over three centimeters, firm or fixed consistency, supraclavicular location, male sex over forty, and persistence beyond four to six weeks.

Temporomandibular disorder screening

Pain modified by jaw function, familiar headache, and limited or deviating opening support TMD; unilateral deep pain with normal imaging warrants referral evaluation.

Hyperparathyroidism brown tumor

A giant cell lesion of bone histologically identical to central giant cell granuloma; diagnosis requires elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone with low phosphate.