title: Epithelium-connective tissue junction in follicular ameloblastoma and ameloblastic fibroma: an ultrastructural analysis.
abstract: The ameloblastoma and ameloblastic fibroma are tumors of odontogenic origin. During odontogenesis, there is a sequence of inductive stimulations, or interactions, between the epithelium of the enamel organ and the connective tissue of the dental papilla. We review 7 cases of follicular ameloblastoma and 1 case of ameloblastic fibroma under the electron microscope to investigate possible induction-stimulated changes at the epithelium-connective tissue junction. Thickening of the basal lamina by a granulo-filamentous material was a universal finding. Horizontal proliferation and convolutions of this thickened material were found in 2 ameloblastomas. The ameloblastic fibroma evidenced fine aperiodic fibers perpendicular to the basal lamina. These changes are consistent with attempted inductive stimuli directed toward tooth formation.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Farman
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merrell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000648:ultrastructure*