Pathology of intraoral sebaceous glands

Large clinical studies have shown that intraoral sebaceous glands are present in 70 to 95% of the population. In many individuals these small white to yellow macules and papules are so numerous that they dominate the buccal mucosa. Despite their prevalence, pathological changes of these glands are considered uncommon. This paper reviews the pathologic spectrum of intraoral sebaceous glands including Demodex infestation, cystic lesions, sebaceous hyperplasia and neoplastic lesions. New data is presented on the true sebaceous cyst and the second reported case of intraoral steatocystoma simplex is documented.