eng Oriental Scientific Publishing Company Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 0974-6242 2016-08-21 9 2 877 879 10.13005/bpj/1023 8137 article Aravindha Babu 1 L. Malathi 1 S. Janani 1 S. Leena Sankari 1 Department of Oral Pathology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath University, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600100. The objective of this review is to know about the function, theoritical background and clinical importance of merkel cells. Origin of merkel cell is believed to be the neural crest derivative. Whereas others said it is derived from fetal epidermal keratinocytes. Merkel cells are situated in the basal layer of oral epithelium. Merkel cell, unlike melanocyte and langerhans cell is not dendritic. They are concentrated in touch sensitive area, hairy skin and mucosa. This review gives information about the origin, distribution, staining and ultrastructure and functions of merkel cells https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol9no2/merkel-cells-pathophysiology-a-review/ immunohistochemistry  lymphatic metastasis  squamous cell carcinoma