Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate an ultrasound-biomicroscopy-equipment (Foster F.S. et al. 2000) for determination of the different oral mucous membrane layers in human postmortem and animal sample excisions. Methods: An ultrasound-equipment designed for ophthalmological examination was tested for its possible use in oral mucosal diagnostics. The sound frequence used was 50 MHZ, the diameter of the ultrasound tip was 5 mm. The experimental situation allowed water as the optimal transmission medium. The samples were prepared from the thawed corpse of a 76 year old female donator without any fixation. The animal samples were taken from a pig and a horse both stored in a refrigerator but not frozen. Samples sized 2 x 2 cm were prepared from the buccal area, tongue, soft and hard palate as well as from the lower lip for examination. All measurements of the soft tissues were documented by the integrated software of the sonograph computer on videoprints and diapositives. In a second step the samples were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The identified structures by ultrasound were re-examined with light microscopy. Results: The examination depth for the ultrasound-biomicroscopy was about 3 to 4 mm. It was possible to show the structures of a papilla circumvallata and the configuration of the filliform papillae as well as the subepithelian layers and the upper muscle layer in the tongue sample. In the sample from the buccal area, as well as from the soft and hard palate epithelium, subepithelial cell compartments and the basal cell layer could be identified. Conclusion: Ultrasound as a non invasive diagnostic method can be used to identify different oral mucosal structures. The possibility for clinical use seems to be given. Further investigations by experimental and clinical studies should prove the different indications and the limitation through the given construction of the transuser-configuration.

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