Juxtaoral Organ of Chievitz: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

The juxtaoral organ of Chievitz is an intramuscular embryonic structure of neuroepithelial origin, and is found near the insertion of the pterygomandibular raphae. The juxtaoral organ of Chievitz has no known function, however, its clinical implication and differential diagnosis should be considered. Here, we report a fibrous cord like mass in a 34-year-old woman that was incidentally found while her lower right third molar was extracted. Histologically, it showed epithelial cell nests with glandular or squamous differentiation, simulating odontogenic tumors or perineural invasion of carcinoma. However, they were positive for the S-100 protein, neuron specific enolase, the neural cell adhesion molecule, and nerve growth factor receptors by immunohistochemistry, supporting the theory that these cells are of neural origin. Awareness of the juxtaoral organ of Chievitz should be emphasized for the epithelial islands in this organ not to be misinterpreted as an invasive carcinoma, an odontogenic tumor, or perineural invasion by carcinoma.