A mucocele, also known as an oral cyst, mucous cyst, or ranula is a clear bump that can develop on the lips, floor or roof of the mouth, or tongue.
This type of oral cyst can occur when a salivary gland is injured or blocked. It mostly results from some kind of trauma to the site, which can be due to injury from a blow or blunt object or an accidental biting of the soft tissue inside the mouth, especially due to adjacent teeth.
If the mucocele is small, it is usually painless. However, larger cysts can cause some pain. Oral cysts can even be painful to direct touch. Shallow mucoceles may burst and release straw-colored fluid. Deeper ones can last longer.
