The purpose of this study was to identify histologic differences in. epithe
lial linings between follicular and radicular cysts in relation of their de
velopment. Linings and surrounding tissues of 25 radicular and 20 follicula
r cysts from archival paraffin embedded tissues were obtained and stained w
ith haematoxylin and eosin. Radicular cysts showed orthokeratotic 9-14 cell
-layer-thick non-keratinized squamous epithelium and unspecific chronic inf
lammatory reaction in connective tissue. Follicular cysts showed 2-4 cell-l
ayer-thick of non-keratinized stratified squamous or flattened-low cuboidal
epithelium and connective tissue capsule free from inflammatory cell infil
tration.