Oral Mucosa, Gingiva - Ectopic Tissue

Ectopic sebaceous glands in the oral cavity are also known as Fordyce’s granules. Histologically, these are a collection of sebaceous glands unassociated with hair follicles (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4). The glands in the molar gingiva are often associated with cystically dilated ducts filled with sebum. In one NTP study examining 734 male and 722 female F344 rats, Fordyce’s granules were very common in the midsagittal gingiva of the upper incisor in males and increased in incidence with age (34.2%, 50%, and 56.3% in 26-week, 65-week, and 2-year studies, respectively). Ectopic sebaceous glands were rare in females (0%, 0%, and 2.8% in 26-week, 65-week, and 2-year studies, respectively). Ectopic sebaceous glands of the molar gingiva were very rare in both sexes. Ectopic sebaceous glands are often not noticeable on gross examination and are considered an incidental finding.