Salivary gland type malignant neoplasm arising from bronchial seromucinous glands. Composed of epithelial and myoepithelial cells in cribriform, tubular and solid growth patterns....

Sutton disease II is characterized by the recurring eruption of painful inflamed ulcers in the mouth (stomatitis). There may be multiple ulcers of varying sizes. These ulcers in the mouth are commonly called canker sores. Sutton disease II is also...

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a condition characterized by an unpleasant odor coming from the mouth. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor oral hygiene, certain foods and drinks, smoking, dry mouth, gum disease, and ce...

Hairy tongue is an uncommon, benign condition that is also known as black hairy tongue or lingua nigra. It is characterized by abnormal elongation and blackish or dark brownish discoloration or "staining" of the thread-like elevations (filiform pa...

The botulism neurotoxin is one of the most potent, lethal substances known. Botulism is a disease caused by this neurotoxin (specifically A, B, E, or F type neurotoxin). The neurotoxin is produced by bacteria called Clostr...

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a disorder of zinc metabolism that occurs in one of two forms: an inborn (congenital) form and an acquired form. The inborn form of AE is a rare genetic disorder characterized by intestinal abnormalities that l...

Bullous pemphigoid is an uncommon skin disease characterized by tense blisters on the surface of the skin. Occasionally, the inner lining tissue of the mouth, nasal passages, or conjunctivae of the eyes (mucous membrane tissue) can be involved. Th...

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth, often accompanied by a metallic or bitter taste. The exact cause of BMS is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to nerve damage or dysf...

Campomelic dysplasia is a severe disorder that affects the development of the skeleton and reproductive system. This condition is often life-threatening in the newborn period. The term "campomelic" comes from the Greek words for "bent limb." Affec...

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare, heritable disorder of connective tissue; only about 50 cases have been reported in the medical literature. The breakdown of bone (osteolysis), especially the outermost bones of the fingers and toes (acroosteo...

Cleft lip and palate are developmental defects of the upper lip and roof of the mouth that are present at birth (congenital malformations). Cleft lip and palate may occur separately and in combination. Both malformations o...

Coffin-Siris syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that may be evident at birth (congenital). The disorder may be characterized by feeding difficulties and frequent respiratory infections during infancy, diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), abnormal ...

Collagenous colitis is a rare digestive disorder that primarily affects females and typically becomes apparent during middle age. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory changes of the mucous membranes (mucosa) of the colon (colitis) and abn...

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease ...

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a rare inherited disorder characterized by multiple contractures (i.e., restricted movement around two or more body areas) at birth (congenital), abnormalities of the head and face (craniofacial) area, defects of the ha...

Cyclic neutropenia is a rare blood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of abnormally low levels of certain white blood cells (neutrophils) in the body. Neutrophils are instrumental in fighting off infection by surrounding and destroying b...

Urine tests for diabetes facts Urine tests may be done in people with diabetes to evaluate severe hyperglycemia (severe high blood sugar) by looking for ketones in the urine. Ketones are a metabolic product produced when fat...

Urine tests for diabetes facts Urine tests may be done in people with diabetes to evaluate severe hyperglycemia (severe high blood sugar) by looking for ketones in the urine. Ketones are a metabolic product produced when fat...

Bejel is an infectious disease that is rare in the United States but common in certain parts of the world. The infection is very similar to syphilis but is not sexually transmitted. Most frequently, transmission is by means of non-sexual skin cont...

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or s...

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a painful dental condition that can occur after a tooth extraction. It occurs when the blood clot that forms in the socket where the tooth was removed becomes dislodged or dissolves before the wound ...

Trismus-Pseudocamptodactyly Syndrome is a very rare inherited disorder characterized by the inability to completely open the mouth (trismus), causing difficulty with chewing (mastication) and/or the presence of abnormally short muscle-tendon units...

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure, the inability of the marrow to produce sufficient blood cells. Dyskeratosis is Latin and means the irreversible degeneration of skin tissue, and congenita means inborn. First de...

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure, the inability of the marrow to produce sufficient blood cells. Dyskeratosis is Latin and means the irreversible degeneration of skin tissue, and congenita means inborn. First de...

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure, the inability of the marrow to produce sufficient blood cells. Dyskeratosis is Latin and means the irreversible degeneration of skin tissue, and congenita means inborn. First de...

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic form of bone marrow failure, the inability of the marrow to produce sufficient blood cells. Dyskeratosis is Latin and means the irreversible degeneration of skin tissue, and congenita means inborn. First de...

Aarskog syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder marked by stunted growth that may not become obvious until the child is about three years of age, broad facial abnormalities, musculoskeletal and genital anomalies, and mild intellectual disab...

Coffin-Siris syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that may be evident at birth (congenital). The disorder may be characterized by feeding difficulties and frequent respiratory infections during infancy, diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), abnormal ...

Megaloblastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow produces unusually large, structurally abnormal, immature red blood cells (megaloblasts). Bone marrow, the soft spongy material found inside certain bones, produces the main blood cells ...

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a disorder of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) characterized by attacks of intense, stabbing pain affecting the mouth, cheek, nose, and/or other areas on one side of the face. The ex...

Acquired agranulocytosis is a rare, drug-induced blood disorder that is characterized by a severe reduction in the number of white blood cells (granulocytes) in the circulating blood. The name granulocyte refers to grain-like bodies within the cel...

Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is a condition characterized by an unpleasant odor coming from the mouth. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor oral hygiene, certain foods and drinks, smoking, dry mouth, and underlying ...

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin disorder characterized clinically by blister formation from mechanical trauma. There are four main types with additional sub-types identified. There is a spectrum of severity, and within each type, one ...

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children under the age of 5, although it can also occur in older children and adults. It is caused by several different viruses, most commonly the coxs...

Herpangina facts Herpangina is a self-limited infection primarily caused by coxsackieviruses. Herpangina most often affects young children. Herpangina is associated with fever, sore throat, and blisters in the ba...

Herpetic gingivostomatitis is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is characterized by painful sores and ulcers in the mouth and on the gums, as well as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise. It is a common infection ...

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) affects people who have diabetes. Several facto...

Harlequin ichthyosis is a rare genetic skin disorder. The newborn infant is covered with plates of thick skin that crack and split apart. The thick plates can pull at and distort facial features and can restrict breathing and eating. Harlequin inf...

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars at the back of the mouth that do not have enough room to emerge or develop normally. This can cause them to become trapped or impacted in the jawbone or gum tissue, leading to pain, swelling, infection, and o...

Impetigo facts Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the surface of the skin. Impetigo is more common in children than in adults. The two types of impetigo are non-bullous and bullous impetigo. Impetigo ...

Apnea is a term used to describe the temporary absence of spontaneous breathing. Infantile apnea occurs in children under the age of one year. Apnea may occur because of neurological impairment of the respiratory rhythm or obstruction of air flow ...

wJansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is an extremely rare progressive disorder in which portions of the bones of the arms and legs develop abnormally with unusual cartilage formations and subsequent abnormal bone formation at the large (bulbo...

Until recently the relationship of Stevens-Johnson syndrome to other severe blistering disorders was a matter of some debate. Now a consensus seems to be evolving that describes SJS as a rare disorder involving lesions of the mucous membranes alon...

Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare condition where the patient suffers from muscle weakness, fatigue, and symptoms, like dry mouth.  Here is a list of some facts about the disease: The term mya...

Granuloma annulare is a chronic degenerative skin disorder. The most common form is localized granuloma annulare, which is characterized by the presence of small, firm red or yellow colored bumps (nodules or papules) that appear arranged in a ring...

Lichen planus facts Lichen planus is a chronic recurrent rash of unknown cause with no established cure. Lichen planus generally affects adults and can involve any portion of the body, but it has a predilection for the wri...

Lichen Planus is a rare, recurrent, itchy rash or area of inflammatory eruptions (lesions) of unknown origin characterized by shiny reddish-purple spots on the skin and gray-white ones in the mouth. The disorder may present as itchy spots on the w...

Milk allergy is an abnormal response by the body's immune system to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and o...

Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by weakness or paralysis (palsy) of multiple cranial nerves, most often the 6th (abducens) and 7th (facial) nerves. Other cranial nerves are sometimes affected. The disorder is present...

Chromosome 18, Monosomy 18p is a rare chromosomal disorder in which all or part of the short arm (p) of chromosome 18 is deleted (monosomic). The disorder is typically characterized by short stature, variable degrees of mental retardation, speech ...

Chromosome 9, Partial Monosomy 9p is a rare chromosomal disorder in which there is deletion (monosomy) of a portion of the 9th chromosome. Characteristic symptoms and findings include mental retardation; distinctive malformations of the skull and ...

Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a rare disorder that affects women. It is characterized by the failure of the uterus and the vagina to develop properly in women who have normal ovarian function and normal external genitalia. Wome...

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin disorder characterized clinically by blister formation from mechanical trauma. There are four main types with additional sub-types identified. There is a spectrum of severity, and within each type, one ...

Renal glycosuria, also known as renal glucosuria, is a rare condition in which the simple sugar glucose is eliminated (excreted) in the urine despite normal or low blood glucose levels. With normal kidney (renal) function, glucose is excreted in t...

A norovirus is a small virus that contains RNA and is surrounded by a protein coating. By sequencing the RNA, scientists have discovered that there are many different types of norovirus. Originally, strains were named based on the city in which th...

Bullous Pemphigoid is a rare, autoimmune, chronic skin disorder characterized by blistering. This disorder occurs most frequently in elderly people. Generalized blistering occurs in and under the upper layers of the skin and usually subsides spont...

What is the oral cavity? The oral cavity and oropharynx have many parts: Lips Lining of your cheeks Salivary glands (glands that make saliva) Roof of your mouth (hard palate) Back of y...

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or throat. It can occur in the lips, tongue, gums, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, or the inner lining of the cheeks and throat. Oral cancer is often linked to tobacc...

Oral fibrosis, also known as oral submucous fibrosis, is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the mucous membranes in the mouth. It is characterized by the formation of fibrous bands of tissue in the mouth, which can lead to restricted mo...

Oral Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the mouth and throat. It is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and is most commonly seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS....

Oral Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) is a condition that affects the muscles and functions of the mouth and face. It can involve abnormal patterns of muscle movement during activities such as swallowing, speaking, and breathing. OMD can lead to a var...

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the mucous membranes in the mouth. It is characterized by the formation of fibrous bands in the oral cavity, which can lead to restricted mouth opening, difficulty in ...

Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the mouth. It typically appears as white, creamy patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums, or tonsils. Oral thru...

Pericoronitis is a condition in which the gum tissue around a partially erupted tooth becomes inflamed and infected. This most commonly occurs around the wisdom teeth, which are the last teeth to come in and often do not have enough room to fully ...

Pierre Robin sequence is characterized by an unusually small lower jaw (micrognathia) and downward displacement of the tongue (glossoptosis). Some infants also have an abnormal opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); both the soft and har...

A root canal infection, also known as endodontic infection, occurs when bacteria enter the pulp chamber of a tooth and cause an infection. This can happen due to tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth, or trauma to the tooth. The infection can lea...

Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is a rare disorder characterized by intrauterine growth retardation and postnatal growth deficiency along with a handful of common physical characteristics and a range of other symptoms. The wide spectrum of phenotype...

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the skin and connective tissues to become thickened and hardened. Oral scleroderma specifically refers to the involvement of the mouth and oral cavity in the disease. This can manifest as tig...

Sjogren's Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, leading to symptoms such as dry eyes, dry mouth, and dry skin. It can also affect other parts of the body, ...

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer with between 200,000 and 250,000 cases reported each year. It is a malignant cancer that usually develops from the epidermis and/or the mucous lining of the body cavities (epithel...

Stomatitis is a general term for inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth, which can result in painful sores or ulcers. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, allergies, or ir...

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection with bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. Like other STDs, syphilis can be spread by any type of sexual contact. Syphilis can also be spread from an infected mother to the fe...

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a disorder of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) characterized by attacks of intense, stabbing pain affecting the mouth, cheek, nose, and/or other areas on one side of the face. The ex...

Tongue thrusting is a swallowing pattern in which the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth when swallowing, rather than pressing up against the roof of the mouth. This can lead to dental issues such as an open bite, speech problems, and d...

A tooth abscess is a painful infection that occurs at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and the gum. It is usually caused by bacteria entering the tooth through a cavity, crack, or chip in the tooth. The infection can cause swelling, pain, ...

Toothache is a pain or discomfort in or around a tooth. It is usually caused by tooth decay, infection, gum disease, or injury to the tooth. Other possible causes of toothache include a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or grinding of the teeth. Sym...

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare birth defect in which the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat with the stomach) does not develop normally. In infants with EA, the esophagus is usually separated into two parts, an upper and lower segment...

Trismus, also known as lockjaw, is a condition characterized by difficulty opening the mouth due to muscle spasms in the jaw. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including dental procedures, trauma to the jaw, infections, or neurological con...

Alopecia areata is a disorder characterized by loss of hair. Sometimes, this means simply a few bare patches on the scalp. In other cases, hair loss is more extensive. Although the exact cause is not known, this is thought to be an autoimmune diso...

The WAS-related disorders are a spectrum of conditions affecting the immune system that are caused by mutations in the WAS gene. These disorders include Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, X-linked thrombocytopenia and X-linked congenital neutropenia. The W...

Weill Marchesani syndrome is a rare genetic disorder of connective tissue characterized by abnormalities of the lens of the eye, short stature, an unusually short, broad head (brachycephaly) and joint stiffness. The eye (ocular) abnormalities can ...