Elastic fibre and hyaluronic acid in the core of human palatal rugae.

The core within the palatal rugae of humans contains elements which are believed to contribute to the maintenance of its shape. A cross-sectional study was represented by 23 specimens of human palatal mucosa aged 3 months to 80 years and stained for sulphated and non-sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG), elastic tissue and collagen. Statistical correlations between core margin definition and age and elastic content were significant (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.025). It was concluded that the main structural element of a ruga is not elastic tissue or collagen but GAG which by its hydrophilic nature causes the tissue to swell and contributes to the maintenance of the shape of a ruga throughout life.