Summary
An ultrastructural and a histochemical study of the disintegration of the human fetal palatinal junctional epithelium was carried out.
Special attention was focused both on the epithelium proper as well as on participation of the surrounding mesenchyma.
Epithelial autophagia was noticed in the form of inclusion bodies with cellular remnants as well as general cellular disintegration. The disintegration was correlated to the cellular activity of acid phosphatase and AS-esterase. The differences between human and non-human material were recorded and discussed.
In the surrounding mesenchyma, histiocytes (macrophages) were noticed participating in the epithelial disintegration, while ordinary mesenchymal cells seemed without importance.
The study of activity of alkaline phosphatase reveals that the rapidly growing ossification center of the vomer was touching the superior aspect of the epithelial junctional seams, where the epithelial disintegration starts.
Based upon the findings the following sequential steps of disintegration were discussed: 1) pressure from the outside (the vomer anlage), 2) epithelial autophagia and 3) heterophagia of epithelial remnants (invading histiocytes).
The ultrastructure and histochemistry of the so-called epithelial pearls were described.
The intercellular substance of the palatinal processes was found to consist of hyaluronic acid and of chondroitin-4- and/or-6-sulfate. The mutual ratio of the glycosaminoglucuronoglycans was discussed.
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This work was supported by grants from Statens almindelige Videnskabsfond, Copenhagen and the Association for the Aid of Crippled Children, New York.
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Matthiessen, M., Andersen, H. Disintegration of the junctional epithelium of human fetal hard palate. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 137, 153–169 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00538788
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00538788