Cytokeratin profiles in oral epithelial: a review and a new classification

This article proposes a classification of oral epithelial and summarizes recent literature of cytokeratin expression in the oral cavity. The oral epithelial are subdivided into two major groups: superficial and deep epithelia. Epithelial lining the oral cavity, i.e., superficial, are essentially stratified squamous epithelia, with the exception of taste buds. The epithelium covering the dorsal tongue is a combination of keratinized and non-keratinized epithelia. Deep epithelia are of two kinds, odontogenic and glandular epithelia. This study provides a classification of the cytokeratins expressed in the oral cavity in healthy and pathological situations based on published data and our own studies. The profiles of these polypeptides in different oral epithelia should provide information that may be used in various disciplines of oral medicine.