There are two types of ranulas.
A simple (or oral) ranula is when the cyst stays in the floor of the mouth, underneath the tongue.
A plunging (or diving) ranula is when the cyst grows down under the mouth and into the neck.
It is rarer than a simple ranula and may occur along with a simple ranula..
A mucocele is a benign, mucus-containing cystic lesion of the minor salivary gland.
This type of lesion is most commonly referred to as mucocele.
The more common is a mucus extravasation cyst; the other is a mucus retention cyst..
Ranulas are cysts resulting from retention, or extravasation of saliva from the sublingual gland.
Two varieties are described: a superficial or oral ranula and a cervical or plunging ranula.
The plunging ranula is located below the mylohyoid muscle and may present as a swelling in the upper part of the neck..
Ranulas are mucoceles that are of major salivary gland origin and occur on the floor of the mouth.
Like mucoceles, these lesions also have two types: oral ranulas and cervical/plunging ranulas..
The primary pathology that lies behind the formation of mucoceles and ranulas is the disruption to the flow of secretions of salivary glands.
Trauma is the most common cause, following which mucus extravasates and accumulates in the surrounding tissue.Jul 24, 2023.
Mucoceles and ranulas result when there is a disruption of the flow of secretions of the salivary glands mostly due to trauma and present as asymptomatic swellings in the oral cavity.
Usually, they tend to resolve spontaneously but sometimes may interfere with swallowing, speech, or respiration.Jul 24, 2023.
Benign.
Ranula is a clinical diagnosis, and imaging studies are done mainly to know the extension of swelling prior to surgery or when the diagnosis is unclear.
Computed tomography and specifically the presence of ‘tail sign’ is pathognomonic for the plunging ranula [ – ].
Features:.
1) Granulation tissue-like and pseudocyst-like. 1.1.
Granulation tissue-like: 1.1.1.
Fibroblasts. 1.1.2.
Small caliber blood vessels. 1.1.3. Histocytes. 1.1.4. Neutrophils. 1.2. Pseudocyst: 1.2.1.
No epithelial lining. 1.2.2. Poorly circumscribed..
2) Pale pink extracellular material (mucous) - key feature. 3. +/-Granulomas.
DDx:.
1) Granul.
Ranulas are mucoceles that are of major salivary gland origin and occur on the floor of the mouth.
Like mucoceles, these lesions also have two types:
The origin of ranulas is similar to that of mucoceles with trauma to the excretory duct of the major salivary glands as the leading cause and obstruction of the duct (sialolith or mucus plug) as the less common one.
