title: Considerations on the classification of odontogenic tumours.
abstract: The histogenetic, organogenetic and embryological aspects of tooth development are used in 4 hypotheses which form a basis for understanding the formal genesis of benign odontogenic tumours. The ectomesenchyme which gives rise to odontoblasts and cementoblasts is distinguished from mesenchymal tissue. Using 4 histogenetic cell groups (epithelial, ectomesenchymal, neuroectodermal and mesenchymal), the various types of odontogenic tumour are discussed. A short analysis is presented of different odontogenic tumour classifications, and some principle problems of terminology and taxonomy are examined.
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000145:classification; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000145:classification; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology