Histological features of hard palate

Histology of hard palate :
 The hard palate is a thin horizontal bony plate of the skull, located in the roof of the mouth.
Formations:  It is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and horizontal plate of palatine bone.

It has two surfaces:

1. nasal surface and 
2. oral surface 

functions : it is important for feeding and speech
 

Histology of nasal surface of hard palate:

1. It is lined by pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium.
2. This epithelium contains intraepithelial gland.
3. Sub-epithelial connective tissue contains glands, blood vessels and lymph vessels.
4.  The epithelium and the sub-epithelial connective tissue are collectively known as the mucoperiosteum, which is firmly attached to the bony shelf of the palate.

Histology of oral surface of hard palate 

Parts of oral surface of hard palate: 

1. Anteriorly fatty part 

2. Posteriorly glandular part   

 

The oral surface of hard palate  is covered by masticatory mucosa,  it is a specialized mucosa of oral cavity 

 

Masticatory mucosa :

It is found in the gingival (gums) and the hard palate. 
From superficial to deep it has three layers

1.      Lining epithelium: Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and in some place parakeratinized

Keratinized epithelium of hard palate likes skin but stratum lucidum layer is absent.

Criteria of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium :

·         Superficial cells have nuclei like keratinized stratified squamous epithelium but nuclei are pyknotic (highly condensed) remain until the cell is exfoliated and

·         cytoplasm is not intensely stain by eosin

  Rete ridges are present in epithelium they are deep invagination of epithelium with

   subepithelial connective tissue  

2.      Lamina propria is formed by connective tissue contain dense collagen fibres, blood vessels and nerves. Hard palate's lamina propria  is also containing large deposits of adipose tissue at its anterior part and mucous gland at its posterior part.
3.  Reticular layer of dense connective tissue : Deep to lamina propria contain reticular fibre rich dense connective tissue which firmly bind the palatine mucosa to the periosteum.