User:KDS4444/Pseudomembrane

A pseudomembrane is a usually gray or white mass of bacteria, dead skin cells, and fibrin that may occur in the human mouth and throat as a symptom of certain types of infection. It is considered characteristic of necrotizing ulcerative perodontitis, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, and HIV peridontitis, but its most common cause is infection with the bacteria which causes diphtheria. A pseudomembrane may also form over a cutaneous legion cause by diphtheria, in which case it is dark rather than gray or white.

When caused by diphtheria and occurring in the mouth, a pseudomembrane usually forms at the base of the tongue and spreads to cover both tonsils. The mass is strongly adherent to the skin of the throat, and when removed by force it reappears with astonishing rapidity.