 l l l Mucocoeles are nonpainful, potentially recurring swell ings

 l l l Mucocoeles are nonpainful, potentially recurring swell ings. Some individuals report an increase in the size of their mucocoele during meals Extravasation-type mucocoeles are most often found on the lower lip and tongue, which are the most common places for injuries to the minor salivary glands Retention-type mucocoeles are uncommon and occur rarely on the lower lip. Instead, it manifests in the palate, cheek, gingiva and maxillary sinus Mucocoele typically appears as dome-shaped mucosal swellings ranging from one to several centimetres in size l l l l l They are most common in children and young adults The spilled mucin below the mucosal surface often im parts a bluish translucent hue to the swelling; however, deeper mucocoeles may be normal in colour The lesions are characteristically uctuant, but some long standing mucocoeles are rm on palpation (Fig. 31.10) Lower lip is the most common site for the mucocoeles, accounting for more than 60% of all the cases Mucocoeles are usually found lateral to the midline. Less common sites include the buccal mucosa, anterior, ven tral surface of tongue and the oor of the mouth, where it is known as ranula. simplify

Here's a simplified version:

Mucocoeles - Key Points

What they are:

Painless, dome-shaped swellings of the mouth that can come back after treatment
Range from 1 cm to several centimetres in size
Most common in children and young adults

Appearance:

Often bluish and semi-transparent (due to mucus near the surface)
Deeper ones may look normal in colour
Soft and fluid-filled to the touch; older ones may feel firm

Where they occur:

The lower lip is the most common site (over 60% of cases), usually off-centre
Other sites: cheek, tongue (front/underside), and floor of the mouth
When on the floor of the mouth, it is called a ranula

Two types:

Extravasation type (mucus leaks out due to injury) - found mainly on the lower lip and tongue
Retention type (blockage of a gland duct) - rare on the lower lip; more common on the palate, cheek, gums, and maxillary sinus

Extra note:

Some people notice the swelling gets bigger during meals (when saliva production increases)

Find clinical images of different mucocoeles

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mucocoele clinical images oral lip ranula different types

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Here is a collection of clinical images showing different types of mucocoeles:

1. Lower Lip Mucocoele (most common type)

Lower lip mucocoele - dome-shaped bluish translucent swelling lateral to midline

A classic lower lip mucocoele - a smooth, dome-shaped, bluish, fluid-filled swelling sitting lateral to the midline. This is the most common presentation, accounting for over 60% of all cases. (PCDS Clinical Gallery)

2. Lower Lip Mucocoele - Clinical + Histology (Robbins Pathology)

(A) Clinical view - Fluctuant, fluid-filled lesion on the lower lip following trauma. (B) Histology - Cyst-like cavity filled with mucinous material and lined by organizing granulation tissue, with intact salivary gland visible alongside.

Fig. 16.18 - Robbins, Cotran & Kumar: Pathologic Basis of Disease

3. Ranula - Floor of Mouth (Bailey & Love's Surgery)

A ranula is an extravasation mucocoele arising from the sublingual gland on the floor of the mouth. The collage shows:

Top row: Characteristic bluish swelling on the floor of mouth resembling a frog's belly; surgical exposure; and intraoperative view
Bottom row: Excised specimens showing the cystic sac and contained mucin

Fig. 54.3 - Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed.

4. Ranula - MRI Imaging (Bailey & Love's Surgery)

An MRI scan showing a large ranula as a well-defined, bright (fluid signal) oval mass on the floor of the mouth. Imaging is used to confirm the clinical diagnosis and to identify if it has dissected through the mylohyoid muscle (plunging ranula).

Fig. 54.4 - Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Ed.

Summary of types shown:

Type	Site	Key Feature
Extravasation mucocoele	Lower lip	Bluish, soft, lateral to midline
Retention mucocoele	Palate, cheek, gingiva	Deeper, may be normal colour
Ranula	Floor of mouth	"Frog belly" appearance, can be large
Plunging ranula	Floor of mouth + neck	Dissects through mylohyoid, submental swelling

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