Oral and maxillofacial pathology

"Maxillofacial disorder" redirects here. For the surgery, see Maxillofacial surgery. For certain abnormalities of the face and/or cranium, see Craniofacial abnormality.
Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Other namesOral pathology, stomatognathic disease, dental disease, mouth disease
SpecialtyDentistry

Oral and maxillofacial pathology refers to the diseases of the mouth ("oral cavity" or "stoma"), jaws ("maxillae" or "gnath") and related structures such as salivary glands, temporomandibular joints, facial muscles and perioral skin (the skin around the mouth).[1][2] The mouth is an important organ with many different functions. It is also prone to a variety of medical and dental disorders.[3]

The specialty oral and maxillofacial pathology is concerned with diagnosis and study of the causes and effects of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. It is sometimes considered to be a specialty of dentistry and pathology.[4] Sometimes the term head and neck pathology is used instead, which may indicate that the pathologist deals with otorhinolaryngologic disorders (i.e. ear, nose and throat) in addition to maxillofacial disorders. In this role there is some overlap between the expertise of head and neck pathologists and that of endocrine pathologists.

  1. ^ "gnath(o)-". TheFreeDictionary.com.
  2. ^ "ICD-10".
  3. ^ Mouth Disease Information Archived 2010-02-06 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2010-02-01
  4. ^ Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CA, Bouquot JE (2002). Oral & maxillofacial pathology (2nd ed.). Philadelphia?page=ix (preface): W.B. Saunders. ISBN 978-0721690032.