title: The ambiguous salivary myoepithelial cells.
abstract: Salivary gland neoplasms present with a diverse histological pattern which is mainly because of the presence of specialized myoepithelial cells (MECs). These are contractile epithelial cells with smooth muscle like properties. They have been also noticed in mammary glands, lacrimal glands, prostate gland, and the sweat glands and have varied functions. MECs play an important role in the histogenesis of many salivary gland tumors. Knowledge of MECs leads to a better understanding of the histological diversity of salivary gland neoplasms. This article reviews the physiology, histology, identification and role of these cells in salivary gland pathology.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Roopa S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, e-mail: sbpatil1612@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shankargouda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amrutha
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Ds
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanketh
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Anveeta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology*