Anatomical evaluation of oral microcirculation: Capillary characteristics associated with sex or age group

Abstract

Background: There are various types of oral mucosa specific to different parts of the mouth and each of these has a unique histological structure. The variations in the epithelial structure are consistently related to observable differences in the underlying microcirculation: i.e. differences in the course, conformation, and density of capillaries. The aim of this research has been to investigate oral microcirculatory differences between men and women as well as between various age groups, in order to map the oral mucosa, and to highlight changes occurring during aging. Methods: A total of 45 healthy subjects were enrolled for this study (12 men and 33 women; mean age 60.37; range 30–82). A complete in-vivo videocapillaroscopic mapping of the oral mucosa was done on each subject. Results: The capillaroscopic patterns of the various areas differ particularly in the course of the loops in relation to the mucosal surface. On the basis of statistical analysis of the collected data, it emerges that there are many differences in capillary loop density between men and women and between different age groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the necessity of approaching the investigation of patient microcirculation in different ways depending on sex or age.