Rete pegs

From dermwiki
Created
2024-09-11 17:22
Contributors
WikiTeq Adm and Dermwiki
Article status
Unassigned

Clinical

Features

Variants

Images

Differential

Histology

Features

Variants

Images

Differential

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Associations

Workup

Labs

Imaging

Diagnostic criteria

Management

Treatment

Monitoring

Counseling

Other considerations

Skin epithelium (purple) with lamina propria (underlying connective tissue) (pink) -- the epithelium exhibits rete pegs. Rete pegs protect the tissue from shearing.[1]

Rete pegs (also known as rete processes or rete ridges) are the epithelial extensions that project into the underlying connective tissue in both skin and mucous membranes.

In the epithelium of the mouth, the attached gingiva exhibit rete pegs, while the sulcular[2] and junctional epithelia do not.[3] Scar tissue lacks rete pegs and scars tend to shear off more easily than normal tissue as a result.[1]

Also known as papillae, they are downward thickenings of the epidermis between the dermal papillae.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ira D. Papel (2011). Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Third ed.). USA: Thieme Medical Publishers. p. 7. ISBN 9781588905154.
  2. Itoiz, ME; Carranza, FA: The Gingiva. In Newman, MG; Takei, HH; Carranza, FA; editors: Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology, 9th Edition. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2002. pages 23.
  3. Page, RC; Schroeder, HE. "Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Periodontal Disease: A Summary of Current Work." Lab Invest 1976;34(3):235-249