Oral and maxillofacial pathology

<p>Oral and maxillofacial pathology refers to the diseases of the <a href="/facts/Human_mouth/NJY6GYoA">mouth</a> ("oral cavity" or "stoma"), <a href="/facts/Jaw/6a11Csjh">jaws</a> ("maxillae" or "gnath") and related structures such as <a href="/facts/Salivary_gland/VtteDtH0">salivary glands</a>, <a href="/facts/Temporomandibular_joint/DrwCtHHj">temporomandibular joints</a>, <a href="/facts/Facial_muscles/f6JuRrgG">facial muscles</a> and perioral skin (the skin around the mouth). The mouth is an important organ with many different functions. It is also prone to a variety of medical and dental disorders.
</p><p>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 <a href="/facts/Dentistry/p8b1zmts">dentistry</a> and <a href="/facts/Pathology/U9b18LJG">pathology</a>. Sometimes the term head and neck pathology is used instead, which may indicate that the pathologist deals with <a href="/facts/Otorhinolaryngology/2xejc7Rq">otorhinolaryngologic</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Endocrine_pathology/nDuNHkJY">endocrine pathologists</a>.
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Oral and maxillofacial pathology open-in-new

Oral and maxillofacial pathology