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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
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If you have any additional question, please feel free to visit the explanations page or ask the doctor a question. |
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Glossary
of Terms Abscess - a localized collection of pus in any body part, caused by a bacterial
infection Alveolar
process - the part of the upper
and lower jaw containing the tooth sockets Amelogenesis
- the formation of dental enamel Aphthous -
a small ulcer or sore on the mucous membrane (the inner lining) of the
mouth Apical - having to do with the tip of the tooth's root Attrition
- wearing away due to friction or rubbing Bifurcation
- having two branches or divisions Boil - a severe, acute inflammation beneath the skin, or of a gland or hair
follicle; boils typically have a core formed by blood clotting within the
vessels Bulla - a large, fluid-filled blister on the skin or mucous membrane Buccal mucosa -
the inner lining of the cheeks Carcinoma
- a new growth or cancerous tumor Cellulitis
- a severe, spreading infection into the underlying connective tissue and
tissue spaces; may have severe consequences and can be life-threatening Cementum –
the outer covering of a tooth’s root Circumscribed
- limited in space or confined to a certain area Commissures
- the meeting of two structures, such as the lips. Cyst - a fluid-filled sac or pouch that results from a blocked duct, a
parasitic infection, or a developmental abnormality Radicular cyst
- a cyst that forms at the apical area or alongside a tooth's root Denticle
- 1) a small, tooth-like projection; or 2) a hardened structure within the
pulp of a tooth Dentinogenesis
- the formation of dentin, the portion of the tooth beneath the outer
enamel layer and surrounding the dental pulp, in the development of a
tooth Desquamation -
the shedding of the outer skin or mucous membrane layer Distal - the surface or point towards the back of the mouth Ectopic - in an abnormal position Edema - a condition in which body tissues contain an excessive amount of
tissue fluid Epithelial
tissue - the cells that form
the outer surface of the body, and that line the body cavities as well as
the main tubes and passageways that lead to the exterior Epulis - 1) a swelling and softening of the gums, not associated with disease,
that sometimes occurs during pregnancy; or 2) a fibrous tumor that
originates in the membrane that covers the jaws Erythema
- a redness in an area, caused by either a proliferation or the dilation
of blood vessels Exostosis
- a bony growth that arises from the surface of a bone Exopthalmos
- abnormal protrusion of the eyeball Fibroepithelial
polyp - a smooth-surfaced
growth within the mouth that is suspended by a stalk of tissue; they
usually develop in response to a trauma to the area Filiform
- hair-like Fissure - a groove, crack, or natural division Fistula (also
called fistulous tracts)- a
tube-like passage from a normal cavity to a free surface or to another
cavity; may result from an abscess Glossitis
- inflammation of the tongue Granulation
tissue - fleshy growths that
form on the surface of a wound that is healing; the growths will later
become excessive scar tissue Granuloma
(dental) – a mass of
granulation tissue developing at the tip of a tooth root, usually the
result of an infection within the tooth’s pulp (which contains blood
vessels, nerves and connective tissue). Herpes - a blister-like eruption caused by a virus Hypercementosis
- an overgrowth of tooth
cementum Histology
- the study of the microscopic structure of tissue Histopathology
- the microscopic study of diseased tissue Hyperemia
- an excessive amount of blood forming in an area Hyperplasia -
excessive growth of normal cells Hypoplasia
- underdevelopment of a tissue or organ Indurate
- to harden Keratocyst
– a unique cyst of the jaws that shows keratin (a cheesy-like substance)
formation Lamina dura
- a radiographical (X-ray) term that describes the thin, dense layer of
bone surrounding the roots of the teeth Leukocytes
- white blood cells Leukocytosis -
an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood, usually in response
to an infection Leukoedema
- a non-cancerous abnormality of the mouth or tongue tissue that causes
the affected area to appear wrinkled and white Lichen – a descriptive term for the white, lace-like lesions that occur on
the skin or mucous membrane; the cysts resemble lichen that grows on
trees. Lingual - at the tooth surface facing the tongue Mandible -
the lower jaw Maxilla - the upper jaw Microdontia
- the condition of having abnormally small teeth, a single very small
tooth, or one or more malformed or miniature teeth Mucocele
- 1) a mucous-filled cyst-like mass; or 2) a cystic disease of the air
cavities of the facial bones, causing the bone tissue to wear away Mucosa - a mucous membrane or moist tissue that lines the hollow organs and
cavities of the body Necrosis
- the death of tissues or bone, surrounded by areas of healthy tissue Nodule - a small swelling or protrusion of tissue, or a cluster of cells Odontogenesis -
the formation of the teeth Ossify - to turn into bone Osteitis
- bone inflammation (condensing osteitis - a condition in which the marrow
cavity fills in with bone tissue, causing the bone to become denser and
heavier) Osteosclerosis
- an abnormal increased thickening and density of bone Papilloma
- a non-cancerous tumor of the skin or mucous membrane Papule - a small, pimple-like, red or pink elevated area on the skin or mucous
membrane Parulis - a boil or infection drainage point on the gums Pedicle - the stem that attaches some new growths of tissue Peduncle
- a band of connective fibers, resembling a stalk Pedunculated
- possessing a stalk or peduncle Periapical
- surrounding the tip of a tooth's root Pericoronitis
- inflammation around the crown of a tooth (usually one that has not fully
grown in or erupted) Polyp - a tumor that is attached to the body by a stalk-like growth of tissue;
some polyps tend to bleed easily Pustule - a small elevation of the skin or mucous membrane that is filled with
lymph fluid or pus Pyogenic
- pus-producing; pus is formed from dead organisms, white blood cells, and
other cells destroyed as a result of the body's natural response to
infection Radiolucent
- allowing X-rays to pass through; appear as a dark area on a radiograph Radiopaque
- impenetrable to X-rays; appear as a light area on a radiograph Ramus - the vertical portion of the lower jaw bone Reticular
– meshed, net-like or lace-like Sarcoma - a cancer arising from the connective tissue, muscle or bone; sarcomas
affect the bones, bladder, kidney, liver, lungs or spleen Sessile - a lesion is sessile when it is attached directly to the body by a
broad base of tissue Squamous cell
- a flat, scaly cancer cell of the outer skin or mucous membrane layer Stomatitis
- an inflammation of the mouth Sublingual
- beneath the tongue Submandibular
- beneath the lower jaw Submental -
under the chin Suppurative
- generating pus Torus - a rounded elevation or swelling; torus mandibularis a bony growth that
develops on the side of the lower jaw closest to the tongue, often
genetic; torus palatinus - a non-cancerous bony growth located in the
midline of the hard palate Thrombosis
- the formation or existence of a blood clot; may be a life-threatening
condition as it can occlude a vessel and stop the blood supply to an organ
or body part Trifurcation
- the area of root division in a tooth with three or more roots Tumor - a swelling or enlargement, either as a sign of inflammation, or as
abnormal growth of tissue Varices - a dilation, or widening, of a vein Ventral -
the side closest to the belly (under the surface of the tongue) Vesicle - a small, blister-like, fluid-containing
elevation on the skin or mucous membrane
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Copyright
2001 David C. Steele
DDS, Inc.
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