Electron microscopic observations of “keratin pools” in chronic hyperplastic oral mucosa

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Abstract
Keratin pools, previously characterized clinically and histochemically in the superficial epithelium of chronic hyperplastic oral [human] mucosa, were studied by light microscopy and EM. These occurred as small beaded and larger coalescent masses which varied in metachromasia. Ultrastructurally, the keratin pools consisted of electron-dense, amorphous or finely-granular material developing and coalescing, chiefly as extracellular deposits. The pools frequently possessed a layered arrangement alternating with cells having distinct tonofilaments, desmosomes and definite cell membranes. Occasional bands of filamentous-like material, possibly representing tonofilament bundles, were observed in some pools.