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نسخة نسخة نسخة ريمي
نسخة نسخة نسخة ريمي
Gingiva is composed of the overlying stratified squamous epithelium and the underlying
central core of connective tissue. Although the epithelium is predominantly cellular, the
connective tissue is less cellular and composed primarily of collagen fibers and ground
substance.
Gingival epithelium
epithelial cells play an active role in innate host defense by responding to bacteria in an
interactive manner , which means that the epithelium participates actively in responding to
infection, in signaling further host reactions, and in integrating innate and acquired immune
responses. For example, epithelial cells may respond to bacteria by increased proliferation,
the alteration of cell-signaling events, changes in differentiation and cell death, and,
ultimately, the alteration of tissue homeostasis
There are three different areas that can be defined from the morphologic and functional
points of view
1- the oral or outer epithelium,
2- the sulcular epithelium,
3- junctional epithelium.
The principal cell type of the gingival epithelium—as well as of other stratified squamous
epithelia—is the
1- keratinocyte. Other cells found in the epithelium are:
2- the clear cells or non- keratinocytes (which include the Langerhans cells),
3- the Merkel cells, and
4- the melanocytes.
The main function of the gingival epithelium is to protect the deep structures while allowing
for a selective interchange with the oral environment. This is achieved via the proliferation
and differentiation of the keratinocytes.
The proliferation of keratinocytes takes place by mitosis in the basal layer and less
frequently in the suprabasal layers, in which a small proportion of cells remain as a
proliferative compartment, while a larger number begin to migrate to the surface.
Differentiation involves the process of keratinization, which consists of progressions of
biochemical and morphologic events that occur in the cell as they migrate from the basal
layer
Nonkeratinocyte cells are present in gingival epithelium: melanocytes are dendritic cells
located in the basal and spinous layers of the gingival epithelium. They synthesize the dark
pigment melanin in organelles called premelanosomes or melanosomes .
Langerhans cells are dendritic cells located among keratinocytes at all suprabasal levels
They belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (so-called “reticuloendothelial system”).
Langerhans cells have an important role in the immune reaction as antigen-presenting cells
for lymphocytes.
They are found in the oral epithelium of normal gingiva and in smaller amounts in the
sulcular epithelium; they are probably absent from the junctional epithelium of normal
gingiva.
Merkel cells are located in the deeper layers of the epithelium; they harbor nerve
endings, and they are connected to adjacent cells by desmosomes. They have been
identified as tactile perceptors ).
The epithelium is joined to the underlying connective tissue by a basal lamina 300 to 400 Å
thick and lying approximately 400 Å beneath the epithelial basal layer
l The basal lamina consists of lamina lucida and lamina densa (composed of type IV
collagen).
Sulcular epithelium
-The sulcular epithelium lines the gingival sulcus ). It is a thin, nonkeratinized stratified
squamous epithelium without rete pegs, and it extends from the coronal limit of the
junctional epithelium to the crest of the gingival margin l
- The local irritation of the sulcus prevents sulcular keratinization.
-The sulcular epithelium is extremely important; it may act as a semipermeable membrane
through which injurious bacterial products pass into the gingiva and through which tissue
fluid from the gingiva seeps into the sulcus.
-Unlike the junctional epithelium, however, the sulcular epithelium is not heavily infiltrated
by polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes, and it appears to be less permeable
Junctional epithelium
The cells are arranged into basal and suprabasal layers and they do not have
granular layer or cornified layers. They exhibit unusual cytologic features and
differ significantly from other oral epithelia. Three zones in junctional
epithelium have been described, apical, coronal and middle. Apical is for
germination, middle is for adhesion and coronal is permeable.
The basal cells are cuboidal or in some cases, flattened.