Why Do Pregnant Women Develop Oral Mucous Gland Cysts?
Disease description:
Three months pregnant, diagnosed with a ranula (oral mucocele) during a routine physical examination—the cyst formed inside the mouth. Why do pregnant women develop oral mucoceles?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cui Chengyu
Oral mucoceles in pregnant women commonly result from local trauma or obstruction of the ductal system, including causes such as ductal rupture due to trauma, mucin extravasation, ductal tortuosity, and concentration of secretions. Pregnant women with a habit of lip-biting frequently traumatize the oral minor salivary glands through this behavior, leading to rupture of the salivary ducts; subsequent mucin leakage results in the formation of an oral mucocele, which requires surgical excision for treatment.
