Parulis
Pronunciation: pah-ROO-lis
A localized gum boil or abscess that appears as a small, raised bump on the gingiva, typically resulting from chronic periapical infection.
Full Definition
A parulis is a circumscribed, fluctuant swelling of the gingiva that represents a chronic draining sinus tract from an underlying periapical abscess. It appears as a small, dome-shaped, often painless bump that may intermittently drain purulent material. The lesion typically develops when infected material from a necrotic tooth seeks drainage through the path of least resistance, creating a fistulous tract that opens onto the gingival surface. While often asymptomatic, a parulis indicates underlying chronic infection that requires definitive treatment of the source tooth. Editors should note this term is often confused with other gingival swellings and requires precise usage in clinical documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Do not pluralize as 'parulises' - use 'parulis lesions' or similar construction.
In Context
- "Clinical examination revealed a 3mm parulis on the buccal gingiva adjacent to tooth #8, indicating chronic periapical pathology." — Clinical examination report