top of page

Head and Neck Pathology

of

the

 Head and Neck

An Overview of

Head & Neck Topics...

Squamous Lesions

Salivary

Glands

Nasal Cavity & Sinuses

Thyroid & Parathyroid 

Oral Cavity & Oropharynx

Ear &

Temporal Bone

Pharynx & Larynx

Mandible & Maxilla

Squamous Lesions

Benign

  • Candidiasis

  • Leuko/Erythroplakia

  • Lichen Planus

  • Vesiculobullous Dz

  • Epulis

  • Granular Cell Tumor

  • Pyogenic Granuloma

Dysplastic

  • Reactive changes

  • Low grade dysplasia

  • High grade dysplasia

Malignant

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    • Keratinizing​

      • Traditional SCC​

    • Non-Keratinizing

      • HPV (Oropharynx)​

      • EBV (Nasopharynx)

1565136116236.jpeg
Candidiasis

  • aka "Oral Thrush"

  • Most common oral fungal infection, often by Candida albicans

  • Commonly described as being a  plaque in the oral cavity (tongue, mouth, esophagus) that can be "wiped off" with scraping

    • Hence the "pseudomembrane" descriptor​ often used

High Yield Factoids...

CLICK TO EXAMINE 

VIRTUAL

SLIDE

  • Thickened epithelium

  • Broad rete

  • Neutrophils on surface

  • Yeast & Pseudohyphae piercing the squamous epithelium

  • Flaking/Flakey squamous "tufts"

  • "Shish-ka-bob" of fungal pseudophyphae "spearing" the squamous epithelium

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Click on an image to open and view full size...

1565138941151.jpeg
Leuko/Erythro- plakia

  • These are clinical terms to describe the appearance of a plaque

    • LEUKOplakia= WHITE plaque

    • ERYTHROplakia= RED plaque

    • Leukoerythroplakia= Red & White

  • Usually present on the lateral tongue​

  • Can represent infection, hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia, dysplasia, or even cancer

  • Oral hairy leukoplakia (shown right) occurs in HIV patients and is associated with EBV (Epstein Barr Virus)

High Yield Factoids...