Fordyce granules are best described as ectopic sebaceous glands. These are small, painless, pale yellow or white spots that commonly appear on the mucous membranes inside the mouth, such as the inner lips and cheeks, as well as on the anterior surface of the tongue.

Important points to note:
- Fordyce granules represent sebaceous glands located in an unusual site – specifically, on the oral mucosa rather than the skin, where sebaceous glands are typically found.
- They are not associated with hair follicles in the oral mucosa, distinguishing them from typical sebaceous glands on the skin.
- They are normal anatomical variants and do not indicate any pathology or disease.
- They are asymptomatic and require no treatment.
- Fordyce granules should not be confused with minor salivary glands, lingual tonsillar tissue, or lymphatic nodules, as these represent different tissues with different functions and clinical appearances.

Understanding the nature of Fordyce granules is helpful in clinical practice to avoid unnecessary alarm or interventions when these benign structures are observed.

Reference: Oral Pathology: Clinical Pathologic Correlations, 7th Edition, Chapter 2 - Developmental and Genetic Disorders of the Oral Cavity / Page 50