Ranula

Ranula (Latin for frogs) - even frog tumor or floor of the mouth Cyst - a location below the tongue, filled with thickened saliva retention cyst. Origin of the salivary retention cyst is usually the excretory duct of the sublingual gland ( sublingual major).

Etiology

The excretory duct of the sublingual gland is absent or closed. The cause of congenital atresia, Dysgenetic differentiation disorder caused by inflammation or adhesion are eligible.

If the ranula in size, it may cause swallowing, speech and breathing under certain circumstances.

Diagnostics

Typically, there is a visible and palpable sliding full - elastic swelling under the tongue on the floor of the mouth.

The expansion can be shown by ultrasonography or MRI.

For differentiation from other masses: a ranula has a thin wall and contains saliva, thus corresponds to a mucocele.

Therapy

The treatment of choice is surgical removal ( excision ) of the submandibular gland with entrainment of the sublingual gland major. In addition, the ranula is marsupialisiert often oral cavity other.

In animals, irradiation of the salivary gland may be considered in refractory cases surgically.

Ranula in animals

In domestic dogs also an acquired ranula occurs by transfer of the excretory ducts of the lower jaw ( mandibular gland ) and / or the sublingual gland.