Ameloblastoma
Pronunciation: uh-MEL-oh-blas-TOH-muh
A benign but locally aggressive odontogenic tumour arising from epithelial remnants of the enamel organ, most commonly in the posterior mandible.
Full Definition
Ameloblastoma is a benign, slow-growing odontogenic tumour originating from the epithelial lining of the enamel organ or dental lamina remnants. Despite being classified as benign, it is locally invasive and carries a high recurrence rate after conservative excision, often requiring wide resection with clear margins. It most frequently occurs in the posterior mandible and may present radiographically as a multilocular 'soap-bubble' or unilocular radiolucency. Editors must distinguish this from malignant ameloblastic carcinoma and be careful not to confuse it with odontogenic cysts in surgical reports.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate. Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Distinguish clearly from 'ameloblastic fibroma' in pathology documents.
In Context
- "The surgical report described a unicystic ameloblastoma occupying the left ramus with cortical expansion." — Operative Report
- "Histopathological confirmation of ameloblastoma prompted revision of the treatment plan from enucleation to resection." — Histopathology Report