What is "ranula"

Ranula \Ran"u*la\ (r[a^]n"[-u]*l[.a]), n. [L., a little frog, a little swelling on the tongue of cattle, dim. of rana a frog.] (Med.) A cyst formed under the tongue by obstruction of the duct of the submaxillary gland.

n. A small cyst on the floor of the mouth, under the tongue, which is associated with an obstruction of the major salivary gland.

1. n. a cyst on the underside of the tongue

2. [also: ranulae (pl)]

A ranula is a type of mucocele found on the floor of the mouth. Ranulas present as a swelling of connective tissue consisting of collected mucin from a ruptured salivary gland caused by local trauma. If small and asymptomatic further treatment may not be needed, otherwise minor oral surgery may be indicated.