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Specialized Postcapillary Venules in Human Gingival Tissue
Author(s) -
Wynne Susan E.,
Walsh Laurence J.,
Seymour Gregory J.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1988.59.5.328
Subject(s) - gingivitis , high endothelial venules , inflammation , periodontitis , medicine , pathology , chronic periodontitis , gingival and periodontal pocket , lymphatic system , immunology , dentistry
H igh endothelial venules (HEV) are specialized postcapillary venules that play a central role in lymphocyte migration and recirculation. This study examined the occurrence and morphology of HEV‐like vessels in healthy gingiva and in lesions of chronic gingivitis in children, experimental gingivitis in adults, adult periodontitis, and in periapical granulomas. HEV‐like vessels were absent in gingival health, but present during the development of inflammation and in chronic inflammation. The morphology of these HEV‐like vessels in the oral cavity resembled that of lymphoid HEV. Thus gingival HEV may represent sites for the entry of lymphocytes into chronic inflammatory lesions.