Cytomorphometric analysis of exfoliated normal buccal mucosa cells

Interest in the field of oral exfoliative cytology has reemerged following advancements in the field of quantitative oral exfoliative cytology as a powerful diagnostic tool. However, even though numerous such studies have been conducted in malignant and precancerous conditions, there have been relatively few reports of similar studies on the normal mucosa, which could be used as a baseline for comparison of pathological smears. This study was undertaken to establish the average nuclear diameter (ND), cytoplasmic diameter (CD), and the nuclear cytoplasmic (NC) ratio in normal subject and to evaluate the differences in these parameters, if any, between different age groups and between males and females. The mean ND was found to range from 7.8 u to 8.28 mu, the mean CD was found to range from 46.19 mu, and the NC ratio was found to range from 0.1609 to 1822. The results of this study also showed significant variation in the CD with increasing age. All parameters showed variations with age changes in females, probably as a result of hormonal influences.