canker sore

canker sore
an ulceration of a mucous membrane, esp. of the mouth.
[1905-10]

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▪ medical disorder
also called  aphthous stomatitis,  

      a small, painful ulcer of the oral cavity. Canker sores are round, shallow, white ulcers on the inner surface of the cheek or lip. They are surrounded by an inflamed area and may reach 2.5 cm (1 inch) in size. Canker sores can occur in three forms: as one to five small lesions that heal within two weeks; as relatively large ulcers exceeding 6 mm (1/4 inch) in diameter and persisting up to three months, leaving a scar; and as many small, superficial ulcers that appear simultaneously. The most severe cases may interfere with eating and speech.

      As much as half the population may develop canker sores at some time. The cause of the sores remains unknown, although scientists suspect that an immune reaction is involved. No permanent cure is known either, and canker sores usually heal by themselves. Local anesthetic agents and anti-inflammatory drugs may provide partial relief from discomfort.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • canker sore — canker ,sore noun count AMERICAN a small sore inside the mouth …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • canker sore — noun an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth) • Syn: ↑canker • Derivationally related forms: ↑cankerous (for: ↑canker), ↑canker (for: ↑canker) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Canker sore — A small ulcer crater in the lining of the mouth that is often painful and very sensitive. Also known as an aphthous ulcer. Canker sores are one of the most common problems that occur in the mouth. About 20% of the population (1 in 5 people) have… …   Medical dictionary

  • canker sore — noun Date: circa 1596 a painful shallow ulcer of the mouth that has a grayish white base surrounded by a reddish inflamed area and is of uncertain cause but is not due to the virus causing herpes simplex compare cold sore …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • canker sore — noun An ulcer in the mouth, called an aphthous ulcer, caused by a break in the mucous membrane …   Wiktionary

  • canker sore — small ulcer located in the mouth …   English contemporary dictionary

  • canker — [kaŋ′kər] n. [ME < OFr cancre < L cancer: see CANCER] 1. an ulcerlike sore, esp. in the mouth: thought to be an immune reaction: cf. COLD SORE: also canker sore 2. a) a disease of plants that causes local decay of bark and wood b) a… …   English World dictionary

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  • canker — Synonyms and related words: abscess, adulterate, alloy, aposteme, bed sore, blain, blast, bleb, blight, blister, boil, break up, bubo, bulla, bunion, cancer, canker sore, carbuncle, chancre, chancroid, cheapen, chilblain, coarsen, cold sore,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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