A ranula is a mucus extravasation cyst involving a sublingual gland and is a type of mucocele found on the floor of the mouth.

Ranulae present as a swelling of connective tissue consisting of collected mucin from a ruptured salivary gland caused by local trauma.

If the lesion is deeper, then there is a greater thickness of tissue separating from the oral cavity and the blue translucent appearance may not be a feature.

A ranula can develop into a large lesion many centimeters in diameter, with resultant elevation of the tongue and possibly interfering with swallowing (dysphagia).

Minor trauma to the floor of the mouth is thought to damage the delicate ducts that drain saliva from the sublingual gland into the oral cavity.

[4] A small squamous cell carcinoma obstructing the Wharton duct may require clinical examination to be distinguished from a ranula.