A comparative sem study of keratinized and non-keratinized oral mucosa of the vervet monkey

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy has revealed that the surfaces of keratinized and non-keratinized oral epithelial cells have characteristic features which enable these tissue types to be readily distinguished. These features include pits, villus-like projections and ridge-like folds called microplications. The origin and functional significance of these structures is not known, although several hypotheses have been proposed. Microplications have been interpreted as a reserve area for cell stretching but further studies have yielded conflicting results. Cellular interdigitation resulting from the microplications may aid adhesion between the stratified epithelial cells. This view has been supported by subsequent investigations of superficial epithelial cells. The situation in the deeper cell layers is not entirely clear.