ranula

American  

[ran-yuh-luh] / ˈræn yə lə /

noun

Pathology.

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

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ranula British  

/ ˈrænjʊlə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• ranular adjective

Etymology

Origin of ranula

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

Example Sentences

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

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

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.

From Old-Time Makers of Medicine The Story of The Students And Teachers of the Sciences Related to Medicine During the Middle Ages by Walsh, James Joseph

The sublingual ranula is the most common variety.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

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

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander