[Morphology of the oral mucosa in rats exposed to increased phosphorus levels]

The experiments on rats kept for 1, 2, 3 and 4 months in phosphorous-producing workshops revealed the influence of elementary phosphorous and its nonorganic derivatives on the mouth mucosa tissues. At the early stages of the experiments the above agents caused the increase in the number of the epithelial layer cell elements, and strengthening of the keratosis process, leading to the development of hyperkeratosis. By the end of the experiment the development of dystrophic and atrophic processes in the epithelium were observed, which sometimes caused thinning of the epithelial layer. The connective tissue of submucous basis was characterized by microcirculation disorders and dystrophic disturbances of blood vessel walls becoming more pronounced by the end of the experiment.