[An estimation of the level of epithelial cell differentiation in impressions from different sites of the oral mucosa in healthy persons].

Impressions from various sites of the buccal mucosa of 20 normal subjects aged 16 to 33 years were examined. Mature epitheliocytes of the V differentiation stage predominate in the cytological impressions of the lingual and buccal mucosa. Cells of the V stage of differentiation predominate in the lower lip mucosa, and there are just few cells of the IV (transitional) stage. In impressions of the palatal mucosa mainly cells without nuclei (stage IV) were found. These data will help more objectively assess the cytological findings in different diseases involving the buccal mucosa.