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Tongue - Squamous Cyst

Image of squamous cyst in the tongue from a male F344/N rat in a subchronic study
Tongue - Squamous cyst in a male F344/N rat from a subchronic study. A cyst filled with keratin (arrow) is present in the tongue.
Figure 1 of 2
Image of squamous cyst in the tongue from a male F344/N rat in a subchronic study
Tongue - Squamous cyst in a male F344/N rat from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The cyst is lined by flattened squamous epithelium (arrow).
Figure 2 of 2
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comment:

Squamous cysts ( Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window and Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window ) may be found in the tongue or gingiva or may be associated with the teeth. These cysts are lined by keratinized squamous epithelium, and the lumen usually contains keratinized material. In the tongue, squamous cysts are benign congenital anomalies and are considered incidental lesions.

recommendation:

Squamous cysts should be diagnosed but not graded unless the incidence is treatment related.

references:

Bertram TA, Markovits JE, Juliana MM. 1996. Non-proliferative lesions of the alimentary canal in rats GI-1. In: Guides for Toxicologic Pathology. STP/ARP/AFIP, Washington, DC, 1-16.
Full Text: https://www.toxpath.org/docs/SSNDC/GINonproliferativeRat.pdf