Non Keratinocytes

Abstract

Non-keratinocytes are a group of cells in the oral mucous membrane which does not possess the ability to produce keratin. It accounts for ten percent of the cell population in the oral mucosa. Non-keratinocytes help in the function of mature epithelium along with keratinocytes and the protection of underlying tissues. They are Merkel cells. Melanocytes, Langerhans cells and inflammatory cells. Each cell differs in features and its functions accordingly.
These cells also differ in their origin, identification, microscopic features, shapes, locations and staining. Their varying aspects will be reviewed in this article.