[A contribution to the general and specific pathology of benign odontogenic tumors]

The genesis of benign odontogenic tumours may only be understood by examining the histo- and organogenesis of tooth development. In this way, "ectomesenchymal" cells (odontoblasts and cementoblasts) can be clearly distinguished from the usual cells of the mesenchyma, as inductive effect closely connects them with ameloblasts. The influence on tumour morphology can also be shown, according to which the structureforming, metabolic and inductive powers of differentiation of the orthological mother tissue are maintained and remain effective. Combining in pairs the four histogenetic cell groups (epithelial, ectomesenchymal, neuroectodermal and mesenchymal) facilitates systematic classification and understanding of the various types of odontogenic tumours. Based on the biological characteristics of these tumours, neoplasms may be distinquished, one group of tumours more dependent on the phases of odontogenesis in contrast to a group of autonomous tumours. In this short analysis of different classifications of odontogenic tumours, the principle problems of taxonomy and terminology will be discussed.