The ultrastructure of the melanocyte in human gingival epithelium

Abstract

The melanocytes in sixty specimens of normal human gingival epithelium from white (caucasoid) and pigmented (negroid) subjects were examined in the light and electron microscope. These cells resembled the melanocytes described in human epidermis and showed no ultrastructural differences between races except in their melanin granules. These were more numerous and better melanized (denser) in negroids than in caucasoids. Similarly more melanin granules were seen in prickle cells of pigmented gingiva than in that from caucasoids. In the latter, most of the melanin was at the stage of striated granules (melanosomes). The amount of melanin observed in prickle cells decreased between the basal and superficial layers. Melanocytes were never seen superficially and their rarity in the crevicular epithelium was confirmed.