Median cysts of the jaws--not a true clinical entity

The so-called median cysts of the jaws (median mandibular and median palatine) are currently classified as fissural cysts. Their existence as distinct clinical and histological entities has been the cause of debate. It is the purpose of this paper to point out that from present evidence in published case reports and reviews of the literature, the presence of these cysts in the midline of the jaws is a random finding. It is suggested that the title median mandibular and median palatine cysts should be discontinued and that cysts at these sites should be labelled according to their particular histopathology.