Basal cell extensions in human oral mucosa

Basal cell extensions have frequently been observed in a variety of odontogenic lesions as well as in the fibrous epulis (fibrous hyperplasia of the gingiva). In order to determine the frequency of these extensions in normal human oral nucosa, a study using autopsy and surgical material was conducted. The results indicated that a specific type of rete ridge morphology exists for gingiva, including the presence of thin double stranded extensions which may be related to the functional role of the gingiva or to the fact that the odontogenic apparatus is derived from surface epithelium in this region in the developing embryo, or both. Similar extensions have not been found in other oral epithelia.