Ranula is a soft cystic tumor in the floor of the mouth, unilateral at first, but later, as the cyst enlarges, perhaps passing beyond the median line. The name "ranula" is only descriptive of appearance, having no significance otherwise.
Formerly ranula was, and is at present by some, supposed to be a cyst containing pent-up salivary gland secretions from stenosis of Wharton's or Rivini's ducts, as a result of inflammation in some part of the duct or its meatus; or from occlusion of the duct by an accumulation of salivary calculus.
Bland Sutton says: "There is at the present time a strong tendency to restrict the name 'ranula' to cysts arising in connection with ducts of the three sets of salivary glands opening into the mouth, and to designate them as submaxillary, sublingual and parotid ranuhe according to the gland affected." Continuing, he says: "In the majority of cases ranulæ