What is the medical term for a mucus retention cyst?

The term for a mucus retention cyst is "mucoceles." Mucoceles are benign cystic lesions that form when a salivary gland duct becomes obstructed or damaged, leading to the accumulation of mucus. This accumulation typically occurs in the oral cavity, particularly on the lower lip, the floor of the mouth, or the buccal mucosa. The condition is characterized by a fluctuant, often painless swelling that may vary in size.

Understanding mucoceles is important in the clinical context, as they can influence treatment decisions, which may include surgical removal if the cyst becomes problematic. This highlights the significance of accurately identifying mucoceles since they can mimic other lesions in the oral cavity.

In contrast, salivary stones refer specifically to calcifications within the salivary glands that can obstruct ductal flow but are not cystic in nature. A salivary gland tumor pertains to neoplastic growths within the glands, which can carry a risk of malignancy, while atrophic cysts are a less common term that may refer to different types of cystic lesions, not necessarily connected with mucus retention. Thus, the clarity of the term "mucoceles" directly ties to its role in accurately describing mucus retention