Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Aphthous ulcer classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: José Eduardo Riceto Loyola Junior, M.D.[2], Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [3]

Overview

Overview

Aphthous ulcer may be classified into 3 groups: major aphthous stomatitis, minor aphthous stomatitis and herpetiform stomatitis.

Classification

Classification

Aphthous ulcer may be classified into:

  • Major aphthous stomatitis – Most common. Few ulcers or even just a single one, smaller than 1cm. Usually these lesions are self-resolving. Affects the lips, tongue lateral aspects and cheeks.
  • Minor aphthous stomatitis – Few ulcers of size greater than 1 cm. Often found in the back of the mouth. Painful and deeper than minor aphthous stomatitis, usually leaving a scar as it heals.
  • Herpetiform stomatitis – Least common. Wide number of ulcers, usually more than 10, with size varying between 1-3mm and may leave scars as it heals. Ulcers may coalesce and become larger. More common in young adults in the 20s or 30s.[1]
References

References

  1. Riera Matute G, Riera Alonso E (2011). “[Recurrent aphthous stomatitis in Rheumatology]”. Reumatol Clin. 7 (5): 323–8. doi:10.1016/j.reuma.2011.05.003. PMID 21925448.

Template:WH Template:WS

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH