Surface features of the strata of rat oral epithelium
Date
1984
DOI
Authors
Chang, Yen-Ching
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The surface features of keratinizing oral epithelial cells from albino rats were studied chiefly by scanning electron microscopy. The buccal mucosa and tongue ventrum were investigated in late fetal, newborn, adult and aged specimens (up to 36 months). At about birth buccal mucosal cells had a considerable variety of shapes, sizes, textures and boundaries. Cell surfaces consisted of a diversified pattern of microvilli and/or unusual microplicae. In contrast, tongue ventrum cells were more regular in size and outline, with relatively smoother surfaces. Most cells displayed a maze-like pattern of fine microplicae. When these initial cells are lost both buccal mucosa and tongue ventrum show closely approximated, imbricated cells, often with distinct cell boundaries. Most cells in the adult were covered with a complex of interconnecting microplications.
Although there were differences in surface morphology between buccal mucosa and ventral tongue in perinatal rats of the same age, adult and aged specimens showed no differences. Since some superficial cells appeared slightly different from their neighbors and one could see patches of different morphoIogy on the same cell, a series of experiments was conducted to test whether exposure to hyper- and hypotonic solutions could alter cell morphoIogy. Thhese studies showed epithelial morphoIogy to be plastic and that changes could be evoked and reversed by selective treatment. Some differences in morphoIogy could not be explained in this way suggesting that different stages of cell maturation may account for the variable cell appearances.
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Description
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Thesis (MSD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2013 (Department of Oral Biology).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-102).
Thesis (MSD) --Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2013 (Department of Oral Biology).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-102).
License
This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.