Scanning electron microscopic study of odontogenic keratocysts.

Three odontogenic keratocysts were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) on their surface cells, prickle cells, basal cells, and the epithelial-connective tissue interface. The microridges of the surface cells had a short, discontinuous, branched or beaded appearance. Intracellularly, the flattened keratinized cells formed a network consisting of delicate microfilaments. The prickle cells had numerous cytoplasmic projections and a large round nucleus that occupied most of the cytoplasm. The basal cells had two types of cytoplasmic process and a large oval polarized nucleus. The epithelium and the lamina propria were connected by a fibrous and fibrillar network.