‖ ranula Path.
(ˈrænjʊlə)
[L. rānula a little frog, a little swelling on the tongue of cattle (Vegetius), dim. of rāna frog. Cf. F. ranule.]
A cystic tumour under the tongue, caused by the obstruction of the salivary ducts or glands.
‘The term is derived either from an imaginary resemblance of the swelling to a frog, or from the peculiar croaking noise which the patient makes when affected by it’ (Craig).
| [c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 262.] 1657 in Physical Dict. 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. & Min. 348 The ranula under the tongue, which is a tumour in forme like a frog. 1727–41 in Chambers Cycl. 1834 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 94 When a ranula has been opened, the surgeon should always examine with a probe [etc.]. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 266 The only case of ranula was treated by snipping out a fair-sized piece of cyst-wall. |
Hence ˈranular a. (a) = ranine 1. (So F. ranulaire.) ? Obs. (b) Of or pertaining to ranula.
| 1656 in Blount Glossogr. s.v. Vein. 1784 W. Cullen First Lines Pract. Phys. cccv. Wks. 1827 II. 35 The opening of the ranular veins seems to be an insignificant remedy. |