-
Respiratory Medicine 2021The oral cavity (mouth) has various microbial habitats, including, teeth, gingival sulcus, gingiva, tongue, inner cheek, hard palate, and soft palate. The human oral... (Review)
Review
The oral cavity (mouth) has various microbial habitats, including, teeth, gingival sulcus, gingiva, tongue, inner cheek, hard palate, and soft palate. The human oral cavity houses the second most diverse microbiome in the body harboring over 700 bacterial species. The fine-tuned equilibrium of the oral microbiome ecosystem maintains oral health. Oral dysbiosis caused by food habits and poor oral hygiene leads to various oral diseases such as periodontitis, caries, gingivitis, and oral cancer. Recent advances in technology have revealed the correlation between the oral microbiome and systemic diseases such as pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other metabolic diseases. Since the oral cavity directly connects with the upper respiratory tract, the oral microbiome has easier access to the respiratory system compared to other organ systems. Direct aspiration of oral microflora in the respiratory system and oral dysbiosis-induced host immune reaction and inflammation are mainly responsible for various pulmonary complications. Numbers of literature have reported the correlation between oral diseases and pulmonary diseases, suggesting the possible role of the oral microbiome in respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, lung cancer, etc. This paper reviews the current evidence in establishing a link between the oral microbiome and pulmonary diseases. We also discuss future research directions focusing on the oral microbiome to unravel novel therapeutic approaches that could prevent or treat the various pulmonary complications.
Topics: Dysbiosis; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Microbiota; Mouth; Mouth Diseases; Oral Health; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 34049183
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106475 -
Prague Medical Report 2021Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of the epidermal melanocytes. Awareness and early recognition of pigmented lesion inside oral cavity helps in initial diagnosis and... (Review)
Review
Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of the epidermal melanocytes. Awareness and early recognition of pigmented lesion inside oral cavity helps in initial diagnosis and further investigation and treatment. Oral malignant melanoma is a rare aggressive neoplasm commonly seen among middle age. The diagnosis of melanoma initiates from the pre-existing pigmented lesions. The poor prognosis of oral melanomas requires that pigmented lesions of undetermined origin be routinely biopsied. A case of malignant melanoma of hard palate with its clinical, radiological and histopathological presentation along with brief review is presented. Prognosis of these lesion is poor with survival rate of 5 years.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Prognosis; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 34606435
DOI: 10.14712/23362936.2021.20 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2021Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign mixed tumor, which is composed of myoepithelial and epithelial cells. A fibrous capsule separates these cells from the surrounding...
Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign mixed tumor, which is composed of myoepithelial and epithelial cells. A fibrous capsule separates these cells from the surrounding tissues. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland tumour accounting for 40-70% of all major and minor salivary gland tumours. It is also the commonest minor salivary gland benign tumours accounting for 70% of all tumours. Hard palate is the commonest site followed by upper lip, buccal mucosa, tongue, floor of mouth, retromolar trigone. This case report discusses a case of pleomorphic adenoma of hard palate in an old man after complete excision of the tumour, which was confirmed by a biopsy specimen.
Topics: Adenoma, Pleomorphic; Adult; Humans; Male; Palatal Neoplasms; Palate, Hard
PubMed: 33912316
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.146.26508 -
Journal of Developmental Biology Aug 2022Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, midface retrusion, and limb anomalies. Cleft palate occurs in a subset of Apert syndrome... (Review)
Review
Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, midface retrusion, and limb anomalies. Cleft palate occurs in a subset of Apert syndrome patients. Although the genetic causes underlying Apert syndrome have been identified, the downstream signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms responsible for cleft palate are still elusive. To find clues for the pathogenic mechanisms of palatal defects in Apert syndrome, we review the clinical characteristics of the palate in cases of Apert syndrome, the palatal phenotypes in mouse models, and the potential signaling mechanisms involved in palatal defects. In Apert syndrome patients, cleft of the soft palate is more frequent than of the hard palate. The length of the hard palate is decreased. Cleft palate is associated most commonly with the S252W variant of FGFR2. In addition to cleft palate, high-arched palate, lateral palatal swelling, or bifid uvula are common in Apert syndrome patients. Mouse models of Apert syndrome display palatal defects, providing valuable tools to understand the underlying mechanisms. The mutations in FGFR2 causing Apert syndrome may change a signaling network in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during palatogenesis. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of palatal defects in Apert syndrome may shed light on potential novel therapeutic solutions.
PubMed: 35997397
DOI: 10.3390/jdb10030033 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2022The role of the purinergic signal has been extensively investigated in many tissues and related organs, including the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as... (Review)
Review
The role of the purinergic signal has been extensively investigated in many tissues and related organs, including the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and immune systems. Less attention has been paid to the influence of purines in the oral cavity, which is the first part of the digestive apparatus and also acts as the body's first antimicrobial barrier. In this review, evidence is provided of the presence and possible physiological role of the purinergic system in the different structures forming the oral cavity including teeth, tongue, hard palate, and soft palate with their annexes such as taste buds, salivary glands, and nervous fibers innervating the oral structures. We also report findings on the involvement of the purinergic signal in pathological conditions affecting the oral apparatus such as Sjögren's syndrome or following irradiation for the treatment of head and neck cancer, and the use of experimental drugs interfering with the purine system to improve bone healing after damage. Further investigations are required to translate the results obtained so far into the clinical setting in order to pave the way for a wider application of purine-based treatments in oral diseases.
Topics: Humans; Salivary Glands; Sjogren's Syndrome; Taste Buds; Tongue
PubMed: 35887132
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147790 -
Seminars in Plastic Surgery May 2020Palatomaxillary reconstruction presents a unique challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The maxillofacial skeleton preserves critical aerodigestive functions-it... (Review)
Review
Palatomaxillary reconstruction presents a unique challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The maxillofacial skeleton preserves critical aerodigestive functions-it provides a stable hard palate to support mastication and separate the nasal and oral cavities, and buttress support to provide adequate midface contour. Free tissue transfer has become a routine part of the reconstructive ladder in managing palatomaxillary defects. While there is a wide variety of options for bony reconstruction within the head and neck, the fibula and the scapula, and their variations, have become two of the most commonly used options for midface reconstruction. This review will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both in specific regard to reconstruction of the palatomaxillary area.
PubMed: 32390775
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709431 -
Biomedical Engineering Online Feb 2021The tongue and hard palate play an essential role in the production of sound during continuous speech. Appropriate tongue and hard palate contacts will ensure proper... (Review)
Review
The tongue and hard palate play an essential role in the production of sound during continuous speech. Appropriate tongue and hard palate contacts will ensure proper sound production. Electropalatography, also known as EPG, is a device that can be used to identify the location of the tongue and hard palate contact. It can also be used by a speech therapist to help patients who have a speech disorder. Among the group with the disease are cleft palate, Down syndrome, glossectomy, and autism patients. Besides identifying the contact location, EPG is a useful medical device that has been continuously developed based on the patient's needs and treatment advancement. This article reviews the technology of electropalatography since the early introduction of the device. It also discusses the development process and the drawbacks of the previous EPG systems, resulting in the EPG's upgraded system and technology. This review suggests additional features that can be useful for the future development of the EPG. The latest technology can be incorporated into the EPG system to provide a more convenient method. There are some elements to be considered in the development of EPG's new technology that were discussed in this study. The elements are essential to provide more convenience for the patient during speech therapy. New technology can accelerate the growth of medical devices, particularly on the development of speech therapy equipment that should be based on the latest technological advancements available. Thus, the advanced EPG system suggested in this article may expand the usage of the EPG and serve as a tool to provide speech therapy treatment services and not limited to monitoring only.
Topics: Humans; Monitoring, Physiologic; Palate, Hard; Technology; Tongue
PubMed: 33549118
DOI: 10.1186/s12938-021-00854-y -
Journal of Oral Biology and... 2023Cleft lip and palate (CLP) as a dislocation malformation confronts parents with a malformation of their child that could not be more central and visible: the face. In...
Cleft lip and palate (CLP) as a dislocation malformation confronts parents with a malformation of their child that could not be more central and visible: the face. In addition to the stigmatizing appearance, however, in cases of a CLP, food intake, physiological breathing, speech and hearing are also affected. In this paper, the principles of morphofunctional surgical reconstruction of the cleft palate are presented. With the closure of the palate, and restoration of the anatomy, a situation is achieved enabling nasal respiration, normal or near normal speech without nasality, improved ventilation of the middle ear, normal oral functions with coordinated interaction of the tongue with the hard and soft palate important for the oral and pharyngeal phases of feeding. With the establishment of physiological function, in the early phases of the infant and toddler, these activities initiate essential growth stimulation, leading to normalisation of facial and cranial growth. If these functional considerations are disregarded during primary closure, lifelong impairment of one or more of the abovementioned processes often follows. In many cases, despite secondary surgery and revision, it might not be possible to correct and achieve the best possible outcomes, especially if critical stages of development and growth have been missed or there has been significant tissue loss due to resection of existing tissue while primary surgery. This paper describes functional surgical methods and reviews long term, over many decades, results of children with cleft palate.
PubMed: 36911175
DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.02.003 -
Seminars in Plastic Surgery May 2020Maxillary defects commonly present following surgical resection of oncologic processes. The use of rotational and free flaps has largely replaced the use of prosthetic... (Review)
Review
Maxillary defects commonly present following surgical resection of oncologic processes. The use of rotational and free flaps has largely replaced the use of prosthetic options for hard palate and maxillary reconstruction, but prostheses remain a useful tool. Prosthetic devices may be invaluable in patients considered poor candidates for surgical reconstruction secondary to poor vascularity, need for postoperative radiation, or medical comorbidities that place them at high risk for healing following reconstruction. Obturators may also be considered over soft tissue options if oncologic surveillance via direct visualization of the surgical site is warranted.
PubMed: 32390779
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709143