Vascularized mandibular anterior ameloblastoma - an entity still unresolved.

Vascularized ameloblastoma is a bewildering entity whose existence is questionable from its origin to nosology and its very characterization as a distinct variant of ameloblastoma. This uncertainty is largely because of a fewer number of documented cases and loss of long-term follow-up. The current paper describes two cases of ameloblastoma in the mandibular anterior region, which had features of so-called "hemangiomatous ameloblastoma" as it was originally described. Understanding its pathophysiology based on various views and clinical implications in terms of its biologic behavior are brought to light in this paper.

Peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma: a case report of a rare neoplasm.

An example of a rare peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxillary tuberosity is presented. A discussion of its possible relationship to the dental lamina and malignant ameloblastoma follows.

The enigma of vestigial tissues.

There are several structures and various tissues in the human body that appear to be functionless relics of ancestral or embryonic development. As such they have long been of interest and have been cited in support of theories of evolution and of oncogenesis. Evidence can be adduced to show that these remnants are not necessarily degenerate, nor are they inevitably functionless. Vestigial tissues are especially common in tooth-bearing areas of the mouth, and the span of tooth development from early embryonic life until adolescence affords unique opportunities for studying the part played by embryonic remnants in later life.