A second type of epithelium is non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and it contains cells that don’t produce much keratin, making this layer less tough.
Histologically, it’s a pretty complex tumor with lots of prominent features including multiple cysts filled with a thick “motor-oil”-looking fluid; and cells that stratify, or arrange themselves in layers.
All right, as a quick recap, oral cancer refers to cancers that originate in the oral cavity, which is lined by keratinized or non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia.
The mucosa also has three layers of its own: a layer made of stratified squamous epithelium; a layer of connective tissue, called the lamina propria; and a layer of muscle cells, called the muscularis mucosae.
The oral surfaces covered by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium include the buccal mucosa, the floor of the mouth, the lateral and ventral (or bottom) surfaces of the tongue, the soft palate, and the retromolar trigone.