Anat Cell Biol.  2013 Sep;46(3):171-176. 10.5115/acb.2013.46.3.171.

Histological assessment of the palatal mucosa and greater palatine artery with reference to subepithelial connective tissue grafting

• Cho KH
• Yu SK
• Lee MH
• Lee DS
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2263142
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2013.46.3.171

Abstract

This study aimed to measure the thickness of the epithelium and lamina propria of the palatal mucosa and to elucidate the location of the greater palatine artery to provide the anatomical basis for subepithelial connective tissue grafting. Thirty-two maxillary specimens, taken from the canine distal area to the first molar distal area, were embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The thickness of the epithelium and lamina propria of the palatal mucosa was measured at three positions on these specimens, starting from 3 mm below the alveolar crest and in 3-mm intervals. The location of the greater palatine artery was evaluated by using image-processing software. The mean epithelial thickness decreased significantly in the posterior teeth; it was 0.41, 0.36, 0.32, and 0.30 mm in the canine, first premolar, second premolar, and first molar distal areas, respectively. The lamina propria was significantly thicker in the canine distal; it was 1.36, 1.08, 1.09, and 1.05 mm, respectively. The mean length from the alveolar crest to the greater palatine artery increased toward the posterior molar; it was 7.76, 9.21, 10.93, and 11.28 mm, respectively. The mean depth from the surface of the palatal mucosa to the greater palatine artery decreased from the canine distal to the first premolar distal but increased again toward the posterior molar; it was 3.97, 3.09, 3.58, and 5.50 mm, respectively. Detailed histological assessments of the lamina propria of the palatal mucosa and the greater palatine artery are expected to provide useful anatomical guidelines for subepithelial connective tissue grafting.

Keyword

Palatal mucosa; Mucous membrane; Greater palatine artery; Histological assessment; Subepithelial connective tissue grafting

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Bicuspid
Connective Tissue
Epithelium
Molar
Mucous Membrane
Paraffin
Transplants
Paraffin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Histology sections showing the positions where the thickness of the epithelium (Epi) and lamina propria (LP) of the palatal mucosa and the location of the greater palatine artery (GPA) were measured. The solid line in (A) indicates the reference line (RL), which was approximately aligned with the outer surface of the palatal mucosa. (B) The dotted line divides the epithelial ridges and the LP. The dashed line divides the connective tissue and the submucosa. Hematoxylin-eosin stain. AC, alveolar crest; GT, glandular tissue; a, length from the alveolar crest to the center of the endothelium of the GPA; b, depth from the surface of the palatine mucosa to the center of endothelium of the GPA.

• 

  Fig. 2 Thickness of the epithelium (Epi) and lamina propria (LP) of the palatal mucosa according to tooth site. C, canine; D, distal surface of the tooth; M1, first molar; P1, first premolar; P2, second premolar. *Statistically significant differences (P<0.05).

• 

  Fig. 3 Histology sections of the palatal mucosa according to tooth site. (A, B) Canine distal area. (C, D) First premolar distal area. (E, F) Second premolar area. (G, H) First molar distal area. (B), (D), (F), and (H) are boxed areas marked in (A), (C), (E), and (G), respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin stain. Epi, epithelium; GPA, greater palatine artery; LP, lamina propria.

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