Aphthous ulcers are also known as canker sores and are typically described as what appearance?

• A. Red patches on lips
• B. Gray-white pits with a red border in mouth tissue
• C. White patches on tongue
• D. Ulcers at back of throat

Answer: (B)

Aphthous ulcers present as small, shallow, painful sores inside the mouth with a gray- or yellowish center and a surrounding red border. This gray-white pit with a red border matches the classic look of aphthous ulcers on non-keratinized oral mucosa (inside the lips, cheeks, tongue, or floor of the mouth). The other descriptions refer to lip patches, white patches on the tongue (which suggests candidiasis or leukoplakia), or ulcers at the back of the throat, none of which align with the typical appearance and location of aphthous ulcers.