Symptom 6: Primarily Located on the Hard Palate
Venturing into the tiny cavern of a newborn’s mouth, one might discover these Epstein’s Pearls primarily residing on the hard palate, which is the roof of the mouth. Their location can be a crucial identifier. Unlike other oral anomalies that can pop up just about anywhere inside the mouth, Epstein’s Pearls have a preferred neighborhood: the hard palate.
The hard palate acts as a dividing line between the oral and nasal cavities. During the developmental stages in utero, this region undergoes significant transformation, leading to the entrapment of epithelial cells. As these trapped cells mature, they evolve into the noticeable white or yellowish cysts.
Understanding the positioning of these cysts on the hard palate can be invaluable, especially when trying to differentiate them from other oral conditions. For instance, while other bumps or lesions might appear on the gums or the inner cheeks, Epstein’s Pearls predominantly establish their territory on the hard palate.
However, one might wonder, “Why the hard palate?” It all boils down to developmental biology. The palate is an intricate structure formed by the fusion of multiple tissue processes. During this fusion, some epithelial cells can get caught in the mix, leading to the birth of these cysts. (6)
