Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral and maxillofacial pathology (pronounced: o-ral and max-ill-o-facial path-ol-o-gy) is the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral cavity, maxillofacial region, and adjacent structures.
Etymology
The term "oral and maxillofacial pathology" is derived from the following words: "oral" (Latin os, oris meaning mouth), "maxillofacial" (Latin maxilla meaning jawbone and facies meaning face), and "pathology" (Greek pathos meaning suffering and logos meaning study).
Related Terms
- Oral cavity: The mouth, also known as the oral cavity, is the opening through which food and air enter the body.
- Maxillofacial region: The region of the face that includes the jaws and associated structures.
- Pathology: The scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
Diseases and Conditions
Oral and maxillofacial pathology covers a wide range of diseases and conditions. Some of the most common include:
- Oral cancer: A type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or throat.
- Salivary gland diseases: Conditions that affect the glands that produce saliva.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder: A condition that causes pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.
- Periodontal disease: An infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests such as biopsy, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Treatment varies depending on the specific disease or condition, but may include medication, surgery, radiation therapy, or other forms of treatment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oral and maxillofacial pathology
- Wikipedia's article - Oral and maxillofacial pathology
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