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Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor of pindborg. An electron microscopic study
Author(s) -
Anderson H. Clarke,
Kim Byunghoon,
Minkowitz Stanley
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196909)24:3<585::aid-cncr2820240325>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - hemidesmosome , pathology , lamina lucida , extracellular matrix , basal lamina , electron microscope , cytoplasm , biology , anatomy , ultrastructure , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , optics , physics
A calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor of Pindborg was examined with the electron microscope. The tumor cells demonstrated fine structural features commonly seen in epidermal cells, i.e., intercellular bridges with desmosomes, intracytoplasmic tonofilaments, and well‐developed hemidesmosomes. A thin linear condensation was observed within die lamina lucida of hemidesmosomes which probably represents a normal component of these attachments. A copious extracellular matrix was seen which was composed largely of fine fibrils, approximately 50 Å in width, aggregated to form a structure resembling a basal lamina. The possibility that this fibrillar extracellular matrix represents amyloid was discussed. Calcospherites were present within the matrix, occasionally in association with fragmented tumor cell cytoplasm. They appeared to lack collagen and were composed primarily of electron dense needles resembling hydroxyapatite.