# What are the little bead-like things you can feel under the skin inside your lips? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 20, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387 "2011-03-20T19:12:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/1 "2011-03-20T19:12:23Z")
If you run your tongue around the inside of your lips you can feel small things about the size of BBs under the skin. What are these? ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/2 "2011-03-20T19:17:14Z")
I don’t know what you’re talking about? Tumors, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/3 "2011-03-20T19:19:10Z")
Reason to consult a doctor immediately, I would say. I’m not entirely sure what “BB” is (ball bearing?), but I don’t have any such things inside my lips. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/4 "2011-03-20T19:20:12Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > I don’t know what you’re talking about? Tumors, maybe? Gees I hope not. I have had them as long as I can remember. They seem to me to be like fat nodules or maybe salivary glands or something like that. I don’t think they are anything nefarious. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/5 "2011-03-20T19:21:24Z")
And to clarify, I am not talking about the part of your lips that can be seen by others. I am talking about the inside of your lips that face your gums and teeth. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/6 "2011-03-20T19:22:27Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Reason to consult a doctor immediately, I would say. I’m not entirely sure what “BB” is (ball bearing?), but I don’t have any such things inside my lips. BB= beebee, like pellet in the gun kids shoot ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/7 "2011-03-20T19:23:28Z")
I can go to the mirror and grin or something to stretch out the skin on my lips, and see lots of little whiteheads. I think that’s basically what they are. Occasionally a mass will grow big enough I can even squeeze it out like a whitehead. Mine aren’t the size of BBs though. I can’t even see them if I don’t stretch the skin out. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/8 "2011-03-20T19:25:02Z")
[labial glands](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labial_glands) More aptly descibed as feeling like what you would find in tapioca pudding. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/9 "2011-03-20T19:28:42Z")
Do you have them on both the upper and lower lips? My lower lip feels totally smooth to the tongue, but my upper lip feels somewhat “bumpy.” I’m not sure whether I’d describe the bumps as “bead-like,” more like a texture, and there’s nothing to see in the mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/10 "2011-03-20T19:29:36Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/11 "2011-03-20T19:33:04Z")
I can’t feel them. Do _I_ need to go to the doctor?! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/12 "2011-03-20T19:36:30Z")
They’re salivary glands. Occasionally one will fill up and enlarge whereby it’s called a mucocele. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/13 "2011-03-20T19:51:33Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > They’re salivary glands. Occasionally one will fill up and enlarge whereby it’s called a mucocele. A quick Google shows salary glands are not found in the lips. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/14 "2011-03-20T19:53:26Z")
I have them. They seem to become more or less prominent at times. They are especially noticeable poking my tongue around my upper lip near where it meets the gum. I doubt they are harmful or any reason to call a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/15 "2011-03-20T20:30:03Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > A quick Google shows salary glands are not found in the lips. [%20of%20the%20oral%20mucosa.%20They%20are%201-2mm%20in%20diameter%20and%20unlike%20the%20other%20glands,%20they%20are%20not%20encapsulated%20by%20connective%20tissue%20only%20surrounded%20by%20it.%20The%20gland%20is%20usually%20a%20number%20of%20acini%20connected%20in%20a%20tiny%20lobule.%20A%20minor%20salivary%20gland%20may%20have%20a%20common%20excretory%20duct%20with%20another%20gland,%20or%20may%20have%20its%20own%20excretory%20duct.%20Their%20secretion%20is%20mainly%20mucous%20in%20nature%20%28except%20for%20Von%20Ebner%27s%20glands%29%20and%20have%20many%20functions%20such%20as%20coating%20the%20oral%20cavity%20with%20saliva.%20Problems%20with%20dentures%20are%20usually%20associated%20with%20minor%20salivary%20glands."]Wikipedia:]([http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/Minor%20salivary%20glands%20%20There%20are%20over%20600%20minor%20salivary%20glands%20located%20throughout%20the%20oral%20cavity%20within%20the%20submucosa](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/Minor%20salivary%20glands%20%20There%20are%20over%20600%20minor%20salivary%20glands%20located%20throughout%20the%20oral%20cavity%20within%20the%20submucosa)[1) > [@](#): > > Minor salivary glands > There are over 600 minor salivary glands located throughout the oral cavity within the [submucosa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submucosa)[[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salivary_gland#cite_note-0) of the [oral mucosa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_mucosa). They are 1-2mm in diameter and unlike the other glands, they are not encapsulated by connective tissue only surrounded by it. The gland is usually a number of [acini](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acini) connected in a tiny lobule. A minor salivary gland may have a common excretory duct with another gland, or may have its own excretory duct. Their secretion is mainly mucous in nature (except for Von Ebner’s glands) and have many functions such as coating the oral cavity with saliva. Problems with dentures are usually associated with minor salivary glands.[URL=“[Salivary gland - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salivary_gland#cite_note-Cate3-1)”][2] Maybe you were looking up salary glands instead of salivary glands. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/16 "2011-03-20T20:34:26Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > Gees I hope not. I have had them as long as I can remember. They seem to me to be like fat nodules or maybe salivary glands or something like that. I don’t think they are anything nefarious. Didn’t mean cancer-tumors. Although I wasn’t ruling that out. I have lots of small benign tumors under my skin–small pea-like lumps. > [@needscoffee](#): > > [%20of%20the%20oral%20mucosa.%20They%20are%201-2mm%20in%20diameter%20and%20unlike%20the%20other%20glands,%20they%20are%20not%20encapsulated%20by%20connective%20tissue%20only%20surrounded%20by%20it.%20The%20gland%20is%20usually%20a%20number%20of%20acini%20connected%20in%20a%20tiny%20lobule.%20A%20minor%20salivary%20gland%20may%20have%20a%20common%20excretory%20duct%20with%20another%20gland,%20or%20may%20have%20its%20own%20excretory%20duct.%20Their%20secretion%20is%20mainly%20mucous%20in%20nature%20%28except%20for%20Von%20Ebner%27s%20glands%29%20and%20have%20many%20functions%20such%20as%20coating%20the%20oral%20cavity%20with%20saliva.%20Problems%20with%20dentures%20are%20usually%20associated%20with%20minor%20salivary%20glands."]Wikipedia:]([http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/Minor%20salivary%20glands%20%20There%20are%20over%20600%20minor%20salivary%20glands%20located%20throughout%20the%20oral%20cavity%20within%20the%20submucosa](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/Minor%20salivary%20glands%20%20There%20are%20over%20600%20minor%20salivary%20glands%20located%20throughout%20the%20oral%20cavity%20within%20the%20submucosa)[1) > Maybe you were looking up salary glands instead of salivary glands. I wish I had a salary gland. I could use the extra money. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/17 "2011-03-20T21:04:11Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Maybe you were looking up salary glands instead of salivary glands. Bazinga! ---
**Author:** ![Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/18 "2011-03-20T21:19:38Z")
I have these, as well. They’re not on the surface, like a canker sore; they’re underneath. You have to put a small amount of pressure on them with your tongue to feel them. I’m not sure what they are, but I’ve had them for so long without them growing or having any symptoms that I have to believe they’re nothing to worry about. I’ve always wondered what they are, though. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/19 "2011-03-20T22:29:00Z")
> [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](#): > > I have these, as well. They’re not on the surface, like a canker sore; they’re underneath. You have to put a small amount of pressure on them with your tongue to feel them. I’m not sure what they are, but I’ve had them for so long without them growing or having any symptoms that I have to believe they’re nothing to worry about. I’ve always wondered what they are, though. See post #15. They are (minor) salivary glands. Sometimes the ducts become blocked and they get larger. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387/20 "2011-03-20T23:31:31Z")
Tiny, white, round lesions inside the lips are often fibromas. They arise from repeated injury, like biting one’s lip. They take about 10 seconds for a doctor to remove. See you healthcare provider at you convenience. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-little-bead-like-things-you-can-feel-under-the-skin-inside-your-lips/575387.md?page=2)