[Keratosis of the oral cavity]

Among white lesions of the oral cavity, keratoses can be suspected clinically but should be confirmed by histologic studies. Only examination under the microscope can demonstrate superficial keratinization of the epithelium. Irritative keratosis, dysplastic and malignant keratoses, and specific clinico-pathologic keratoses are reviewed successively. The differential diagnosis of white lesions of the oral cavity is discussed.