20/09/2026
What is a Ranula?
It is a specific type of mucocele (mucus-filled cyst) that usually originates from the sublingual salivary gland.
Simple ranulas stay entirely on the floor of the mouth under the tongue.
Plunging ranulas (or cervical ranulas) extend deeper through muscle tissue and cause swelling in the neck.
•Symptoms:
A painless, clear, or bluish-tinted lump under the tongue.
A squishy or fluid-filled mass that may change in size or come and go.
Discomfort, a feeling of fullness, or the tongue being pushed out of place.
Difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing if the cyst grows large.
Visible neck swelling in cases of a plunging ranula.
•Causes:
Trauma: Injury or minor trauma to the floor of the mouth or salivary duct.
Blockage: Obstruction of the salivary duct from inflammation.
Treatment Options:
•Marsupialization: A minor procedure to open the cyst and let it drain continuously.
Surgical Removal: Complete excision of the ranula and the associated minor salivary gland.