Medical Term for Kinked Salivary Gland to Inside Lower Lip
The medical term for a kinked or blocked minor salivary gland on the inside of the lower lip is a mucocele (also called a mucous extravasation cyst or mucous retention cyst). 1, 2
Definition and Pathophysiology
A mucocele is a benign, mucus-filled pseudocyst that develops when a minor salivary gland duct becomes obstructed or ruptured. 1, 2 The condition occurs through two distinct mechanisms:
- Mucus extravasation cyst (most common type): Results from rupture of the salivary gland duct, causing mucus to spill into surrounding soft tissue 2, 3
- Mucus retention cyst (less common): Caused by blockage of the salivary gland duct without rupture 2, 4
Clinical Presentation
The lower lip is the most common location for oral mucoceles, accounting for approximately 36% of cases. 1, 4 These lesions typically present with the following characteristics:
- Appearance: Soft, fluctuant, bluish, transparent cystic swelling that may range from normal mucosal color to deep blue 3, 4
- Size: Most commonly 5-14 mm in diameter 4
- Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic (58.62% of cases), though some patients report discomfort 4
- Behavior: History of spontaneous bursting and collapsing, then refilling in a repetitive cycle 3
Demographics and Etiology
Mucoceles predominantly affect young patients, with highest incidence in the second decade of life (15-24 years), though they can occur at any age. 3, 4 The male-to-female ratio is approximately 1.07:1. 4
Common causative factors include:
- Lip biting habit (22.41% of cases) 4
- Direct mechanical trauma (5.18% of cases) 4
- Unknown/idiopathic causes (72.41% of cases) 4
Treatment
Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for mucoceles. 1, 3 Alternative treatment options include:
- Marsupialization or micromarsupialization 1
- Laser ablation 1
- Cryotherapy 1
- Intralesional steroid injection 1
- Sclerosing agents 1
The diagnosis is primarily clinical based on the pathognomonic presentation, though histopathological confirmation can differentiate between extravasation (84.48% of cases) and retention types (15.52% of cases). 4