Mandible & maxilla
Non-odontogenic cysts
Globulomaxillary cyst
Last author update: 1 July 2015
Last staff update: 8 July 2020
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PubMed Search: Globulomaxillary cyst [title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Sites | Etiology | Radiology description | Diagrams / tables | Microscopic (histologic) description | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Martinez A. Globulomaxillary cyst. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mandiblemaxillaglobulomaxillarycyst.html. Accessed March 22nd, 2023.
Definition / general
- No longer considered a distinct, classifiable entity
- Previously described as a fissural cyst forming at the junction of the globular process and the maxillary process
- Most, if not all, cysts in the globulomaxillary region may be classifiable as an inflammatory type cyst or another developmental odontogenic cyst / tumor (see differential diagnosis)
Terminology
- Also called odontogenic cyst in a globulomaxillary location
Sites
- Cyst that occurs between the maxillary lateral incisor and canine teeth
Etiology
- No longer considered a distinct, classifiable entity:
- Originally thought to arise from epithelium entrapped during fusion of the globular portion of the medial nasal process with the maxillary process
- The globular portion of the medial nasal process is primarily united with the maxillary process and a fusion does not occur
- Therefore, epithelial entrapment should not occur during embryologic development of this area
Radiology description
- On radiograph it will appear as inverted pear shaped radiolucency
- The clinician should first consider an odontogenic origin for the lesion
Diagrams / tables
Images hosted on other servers:
Fissural cysts
Teeth and hard palate
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Given that globulomaxillary cyst is terminology that is no longer utilized, a microscopic description is not provided
- See differential diagnosis section for most commonly identified classifiable entities found in a globulomaxillary location
Differential diagnosis
- Keratocystic odontogenic tumor
- Parakeratin lined cyst-like lesion / tumor within bone
- Mandible most commonly involved (65 - 85% of KCOT)
- Uniform epithelial lining 6 - 8 cells thick lacking rete ridges
- Luminal surface has wavy ("corrugated") parakeratotic epithelial cells
- Lateral periodontal cyst
- Nonkeratinizing, developmental odontogenic cyst which occurs along the lateral tooth root surface within bone
- Most common adjacent to roots of cuspid or bicuspid teeth
- Nonkeratinized epithelial lining of cuboidal to stratified squamous cells
- Focal nodular areas of epithelial thickening that may have a whorled, swirling architecture and appear in continuity with the epithelial lining
- These mural epithelial plaques extend into the fibrous connective cyst wall or may protrude into cyst lumen
- Periapical (radicular) cyst
- Most common inflammatory odontogenic cyst
- Derived from rests of Malassez
- Lined by stratified squamous epithelium of variable thickness, often edematous
- May have scattered ciliated cells, particularly if inflammatory process erodes bone of maxilla and process perforates to sinonasal cavity
- A radicular cyst is associated with a partially necrotic or necrotic tooth and involves a portion of the root, usually with loss of continuity of the radiographic lamina dura
Additional references
