Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Terminology | Sites | Case reports | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stains | Negative stains | Differential diagnosis | Board review style question #1 | Board review style answer #1Cite this page: Tzelepi V, Zalaznick H Subgemmal neurogenous plaque. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/oralcavitysnp.html. Accessed March 28th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Normal neural structure associated with taste buds
Essential features
- Generally asymptomatic but may present as white or red patches, hyperplastic nodules, ulcers or complaints of a burning sensation
Terminology
- Also called the subepithelial nerve plexus of taste buds
Sites
- Posterior third of the lateral tongue
Case reports
- 69 year old woman with small indurated lesion on the lateral border of tongue (Case of the Week #445)
Microscopic (histologic) description
Shows a biphasic pattern:
- Superficial part of the lesion
- Contains elongated and wavy spindle cells running in parallel to the epithelium
- Can contain varying amounts of collagen
- May have an inflammatory infiltrate and lymphoid follicles
- Deeper part of the lesion
- Contains small nerve fascicles and scattered ganglion cells
Microscopic (histologic) images
Positive stains
Differential diagnosis
- Neural neoplasms such as neurofibroma or neuroma
- Invasive squamous cell carcinoma, when squamous islands present
Board review style question #1
Which of the following is true of subgemmal neurogenous plaque?
A. They can be located anywhere in the head and neck
B. They are aggressive lesions that typically recur after excision
C. They are normal neural structures associated with taste buds
D. They arise in response to trauma
A. They can be located anywhere in the head and neck
B. They are aggressive lesions that typically recur after excision
C. They are normal neural structures associated with taste buds
D. They arise in response to trauma
Board review style answer #1
C. They are normal neural structures associated with taste buds
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Reference: Subgemmal neurogenous plaque
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Reference: Subgemmal neurogenous plaque