Ranula

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**Ranula**
*Classification & external resources*
ICD-10	K 11.6
ICD-9	527.6
DiseasesDB	31432
MedlinePlus	001639
eMedicine	derm/648

A ranula is a type of mucocele found on the floor of the mouth. Ranulas present as a swelling of connective tissue consisting of collected mucin from a ruptured salivary gland duct, which is usually caused by local trauma.

The latin rana means frog, and a ranula is so named because its appearance is sometimes compared to a frog's underbelly.

1 Locations
2 Appearance
3 Histology
4 Treatment
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Locations

The gland that most likely causes a ranula is the sublingual gland. Nonetheless, the submandibular gland and minor salivary glands may be involved.

[edit] Appearance

A ranula is a fluctuant swelling with a bluish translucent color.

Though normally above the mylohyoid muscle, if a ranula is found deeper in the floor of the mouth, it can appear to have a normal color. A ranula below the mylohyoid muscle is referred to as a "plunging or cervical ranula", and produces swelling of the neck with or without swelling in the floor of the mouth.

Ranulas measure several centimeters in diameter and are usually larger than mucoceles. As a result, when ranulas are present the tongue may be elevated. As with mucoceles, ranulas may be subject to recurrent swelling with occasional rupturing of its contents.

[edit] Histology

Microscopically, ranulas appear similar to mucoceles. Thus, granulation tissue surrounding mucin is present.

[edit] Treatment

Treatment of ranulas involves excision of the top of the lesion in a procedure known as "marsupialization". Ranulas may reoccur if the sublingual gland or other gland causing them is not removed.