title: Normal variations of oral anatomy and common oral soft tissue lesions: evaluation and management.
abstract: Examination of the oral cavity can provide significant diagnostic information regarding the general health of the patient. The oral cavity is affected by a multitude of pathologic conditions of variable cause and significance; however, there are numerous normal variations of oral soft tissue structures that may resemble a pathologic state. Understanding these variations assists practitioners to discriminate between normal versus abnormal findings and determine the appropriate course of management, if necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Farideh M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Clinical Services, Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: arthurk@dental.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Arthur S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kuperstein
mesh_terms: D000072676:Ankyloglossia; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral; D006801:Humans; D007967:Leukoedema, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D046151:Lingual Thyroid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Ankylogossia; Fissured tongue; Fordyce granules; Hairy tongue; Leukoedema; Linea alba; Lingual thyroid; White sponge nevus