Contribution to the knowledge on the ultrastructure of marginal gingivae.

A total of 51 bioptic specimens of marginal gingivae from young healthy donors were subjected to the light and electron microscopic study. Clinical and morphological findings indicated that the gingiva should be studied as a whole. Description of the healthy epithelium cannot be separated from the knowledge of the actual state of lamina propria mucosae. As healthy can be considered only those gingival specimens, which do not contain any lymphocytes, leukocytes and other cells typical of inflammatory infiltrate, respectively. The epithelial basal membrane is considered as a light microscopic concept. Topographic orientation, particularly in the layers of epithelial cells not connected with lamina basalis or with the surface, presents a problem in electron microscopic examinations. Morphological pendent of mucopolysaccharides can be found in lamina propria mucosae. Hemidesosomal structures of stratum basale of the epithelial layer may reflect physiological requirements counterbalancing the mechanical pulls in a given area.