Computer analysis of the surface ultrastructural features of porcine oral mucosa.

The surface features of histologically definable regions were recorded from standardized random scanning-electron micrographs. Computer-based discriminant and cluster statistical analyses were used to determine whether these surface features reflect only degrees of keratinization or are specific characteristics of each mucosal site. It was possible to distinguish consistently between keratinized and non-keratinized mucosa but, as a means of individual tissue identification, the analysis offered no advantages over conventional histological examination.