ABSTRACT
To determine the histopathologic differences in biopsies taken from the oral mucosa at the side of qat chewing and the opposite side. This study was done on 40 biopsies taken from the oral mucosa at the chewng side n=20 [Group I], and from the opposite side n=20 [Group II]. Biopsies were prepared and stained by the routine H and E method and then evaluated. Acanthosis, abnormal rate ridges, inflammatory infiltration, intracellular edema and keratosis [HK] were reported in 100%, 95%, 70% and 50% of GI. And in 60%, 30%, 25%, 70%, and 10% GII, respectively. These histopathologic differences statistically were significant P < 0.002. Clear histopathologic differences were found between chewing and opposite sides. All changes were innocuous as no atypia moderate or severe epithelial dysplasia found