epulis

(medicine) A benign tumorlike lesion of the gingiva.

A tumor (tumescence) of the gingiva.

Inflammatory cellular proliferation or a tumorlike growth of the gum that may be present at birth.

Pl. epulides [Gr.] a benign tumor of mixed cell origin arising from periodontal squamous cell residues.

• acanthomatous e. — a locally invasive, sometimes recurrent, tumor of the gums of dogs and sometimes cats. Called also oral adamantinoma.
• giant-cell e. — see periodontal fibromatous epulis (below).
• ossifying e. — has a greater abundance of hard tissue, osteoid, bone and cementum than fibromatous epulides.
• periodontal fibromatous e. — firm, nodular benign structures on the lingual or labial gum margins, resembling normal gingiva in color and texture. Common in dogs, particularly the brachycephalic breeds. Considered by some to be hyperplastic rather than neoplastic. Called also giant-cell epulis.