The Buccal Fat Pad: A Unique Human Anatomical Structure and Rich and Easily Accessible Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Repair

Buccal fat pads are biconvex adipose tissue bags that are uniquely found on both sides
of the human face along the anterior border of the masseter muscles. Buccal fat pads are important
determinants of facial appearance, facilitating gliding movements of facial masticatory and mimetic
muscles. Buccal fad pad flaps are used for the repair of oral defects and as a rich and easily accessible
source of mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we introduce the buccal fat pad anatomy and morphology
and report its functions and applications for oral reconstructive surgery and for harvesting mes
enchymal stem cells for clinical use. Future frontiers of buccal fat pad research are discussed. It is
concluded that many biological and molecular aspects still need to be elucidated for the optimal
application of buccal fat pad tissue in regenerative medicine.