ranula

[ran-yuh-luh]

noun

Pathology.

1. a cystic tumor formed beneath the tongue, caused by obstruction of the sublingual or submaxillary gland or of a mucous gland.

ranula

/ ˈrænjʊlə /

noun

1. a saliva-filled cyst that develops under the tongue

Other Word Forms

• ranular adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranula¹

1650–60; < Latin rānula little frog, swelling, equivalent to rān ( a ) frog + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranula¹

C17: from Latin rana frog + -ula from Latin -ulus , small

Example Sentences

The sublingual ranula is the most common variety.

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Among the affections of the tongue he numbers abscess, fissure, ulcer, cancer, ranula, shortening of the ligaments, hypertrophy, erythema of the mucous membrane, and inflammatory swelling.

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In rare cases children are born with a cystic swelling in the floor of the mouth—the so-called congenital ranula.

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Tumours—Ranula.—The term ranula is applied to any cystic tumour formed in connection with the glands in the floor of the mouth.

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