Pathology of Fordyce Spots

(Ectopic Sebaceous Glands)

Dr Sampurna Roy MD            

Fordyce spots (Fordyce granules) or ectopic sebaceous glands without attached hair follicle may be present near mucocutaneous junction. 

They were initially described by Kölliken in 1861 but were named after Fordyce who wrote about them in 1896.

Clinical presentation:   

The incidence of Fordyce granules increases from childhood to adulthood, and is slightly higher in men.

Presents as tiny yellow papules. 

Site: 

Fordyce Spots - Present along vermillion border of the lips or on the oral mucosa.

Montgomery's tubercle-  Normal sebaceous glands are distributed along a circle in the periphery of the areola of the breast.

Ectopic sebaceous glands are occasionally found in other sites - 

Example:  Esophagus;  penis;  labia minora ; vagina

Normal sebaceous glands on the vermilion border of the lips and the oral mucosa are common in adults.

Only pathologic sebaceous glands visible through the epithelium should be regarded as Fordyce granules.

Differential diagnosis: Sebaceous hyperplasia  Enlarged sebaceous glands with numerous lobules around a centrally located wide duct .