An ultrastructural study of keratinized epithelia in the rat soft palate.

The three kinds of keratinized epithelium evident on gross examination of the soft palate of Wistar albino rats were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scanning indicated a central area where the epithelium showed numerous fine folds and papillae, more lateral areas which were smooth, and most lateral areas with fine folds only. At high magnifications the cell surfaces were seen to be pitted with numerous small craters. However, all three epithelia had a similar appearance under the transmission electron microscope, namely that of keratinized oral epithelia. The gross surface differences probably reflect functional modifications.