Abstract

ORO FACIAL PIGMENTATIONS – A REVIEW

Dr. Saraswathi Gopal and *Dr. Anitha Raghunathan

ABSTRACT

Colour, is imparted to the skin by a variety of different substances which are visible to varying degrees in different people. The most important of these substances is the pigment, Melanin, which is produced in specialised cells called melanocytes within the skin.4 In the course of disease, the mucosal tissues can assume a variety of discolouration including brown, blue, gray and black. Such colour changes are often attributed to the deposition, production or increased accumulation of various endogenous or exogenous pigmented substances. However, although an area may appear pigmented, the discolouration may not be related to the actual pigment but rather to the deposition or accumulation of organic or inorganic substances.[1]

Keywords: Melanocytes, Discolouration, endogenous, exogenous, accumulation.