Human Oral Mucosa: Development, Structure and Function is a new text that reflects the considerable increase in knowledge of oral mucosa that has occurred in recent years. Our understanding of the structure of oral mucosa is now established at a molecular rather than a tissue or cellular level. This in turn has revealed a level of function that was previously not suspected, including a sophisticated barrier to the penetration of exogenous materials, and the synthesis of specific antimicrobial compounds, representing components of the innate immune system. There is also a growing realization of commonality in structure and function between regions of oral mucosa and the mucosae of the esophagus and vagina.

The aim of the present volume is to provide a more sophisticated text on human oral mucosa than presently exists in textbooks and to bring together information that is otherwise to be found in separate, specialist volumes into a comprehensive text. It relates structure at the molecular, cellular and tissue level to function and to clinical behavior. The volume is directed to advanced students and researchers in oral biology, as well as those in allied areas of investigation, such as dermatology, gynecology, internal medicine and pathology.

Christopher Squier has an international reputation for his research on the structure and function of oral mucosa, being the author or co-author of 200 books, chapters or peer-reviewed articles. He has received the Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Biology from the International Association for Dental Research.

Kim Brogden is a professor in the Department of Periodontics and the Dows Institute for Dental Research at the University of Iowa. His work on innate immunity in mucosal diseases including oral mucosa is recognized worldwide and he is the author of over 155 books, chapters or peer reviewed publications.