SUMMARYThe relationship between Civatte bodies and epithelial cells in mitosis was investigated in lichen planus lesions of the oral mucosa. The nuclear material in Civatte bodies was often very similar to that in normal dividing basal epithelial cells. In addition, cells were found with clearly identifiable chromosomes, but with cytoplasmic changes of Civatte bodies. These results suggest that Civatte bodies are probably the outcome of degenerative changes affecting epithelial cells in various stages of mitosis.