HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which condition is characterized by inflammation at the corners of the mouth?

1. Chelitis

2. Cheilosis

3. Pemphigus

4. Stomatitis

The correct answer is: Cheilosis

The condition characterized by inflammation at the corners of the mouth is known as cheilitis. This term specifically refers to inflammation or irritation of the lips, which prominently includes the angles or corners where the upper and lower lips meet. Cheilitis can occur due to various causes, including nutritional deficiencies, infections, or other underlying health issues. Cheilosis can sometimes be used synonymously with cheilitis, but it is more commonly associated with fissures or cracks forming at the corners of the mouth, often related to chronic inflammation rather than general inflammation itself. However, the more widely accepted term for the inflammation at the corners specifically is cheilitis. Pemphigus refers to a group of severe autoimmune blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes and is unrelated to the specific inflammation at the corners of the mouth. Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, but it encompasses a broader area than just the corners of the lips, and thus does not specifically describe the condition indicated in the question.