Mucocele
Pronunciation: MYOO-koh-seel
A benign, mucus-filled pseudocyst of the oral soft tissues arising from rupture or obstruction of a minor salivary gland duct, most frequently located on the lower lip.
Full Definition
An oral mucocele is a common benign soft-tissue lesion that presents as a fluid-filled, dome-shaped, translucent swelling, typically on the lower labial mucosa. It results either from duct rupture with pooling of mucin in the connective tissue (extravasation mucocele) or, less commonly, from duct obstruction and consequent retention (retention cyst or ranula when sublingual). Editors should note that 'mucocele' and 'mucous retention cyst' are related but histopathologically distinct terms; a mucocele technically lacks an epithelial lining, while a true retention cyst does not. The sublingual variant is specifically termed a ranula and should be designated as such in documents addressing that anatomical site.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use 'mucocele' and 'ranula' interchangeably. Ranula is the specific term for a mucocele of the sublingual gland. Editors should also verify that 'mucous retention cyst' is not substituted for 'mucocele' without pathological evidence of an epithelial lining.
In Context
- "A 14-year-old patient presented with a recurrent, painless, translucent swelling of the lower lip consistent with a mucocele." — Pediatric clinic case note
- "The mucocele was marsupialised rather than excised due to its proximity to the sublingual duct." — Surgical treatment note