Cheilitis - Glossary

Inflammation: A response of redness, swelling, pain and a feeling of heat in certain areas, which is meant to protect tissues affected by injury or disease.

Vermilion border: Junction of the lip and the skin.

Labial Mucosa: Mucus-secreting membrane lining the inner lips.

Malaise: The vague feeling of illness or discomfort.

Granuloma: (Granulomatous): A mass of tissue that forms at a site of inflammation, injury, or infection as a part of the healing process.

Actinic: Referring to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and UV lamps.

Candida: A species of yeast-like fungi.

Biopsy: A small piece of tissue removed from the body and examined under a microscope to determine whether a disease is present.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the flat, scale-like cells of the skin and tissues that line certain organs of the body, including the larynx.

Staphylococcal infection: Infection caused by bacteria called staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus.

Herpes Simplex: Infection by the herpes simplex virus, which causes blister-like sores on the face, lips, mouth, or genitals; in rare cases, can also affect the eyes, fingers, or brain

Crohn’s Disease: Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the bowel. Crohn's disease increases risk for colon cancer.