PRIMARY MOUTH MANIFESTATIONS OF SKIN DISEASES

¹ Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York City

(1) Skin and mucous membranes are derived from the same embryonal structure—the ectoderm. Hence, similar lesions in both tissues may be due to the same disease.

(2) Often the mucous membrane of the mouth is the site of primary lesions which may or may not be followed by skin manifestations. In lichen planus, approximately 26 per cent of oral mucous-membrane lesions are primary; in pemphigus, approximately 50 per cent.

(3) Several cases of primary lichen planus, pemphigus, and herpes simplex are cited.