Fibroblasts are the most abundant cellular components of connective tissue. They possess phenotypical heterogenicity and may be present in the form of smooth muscle cells or myofibroblasts(MFs). MFs are spindle-shaped cells with stress fibres and welldeveloped fibronexus,and they display α-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemically and smoothmuscle myofilaments ultrastructurally. MFs play a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes. Derived from various sources,they play pivotal roles not only by synthesizing and producing extracellular matrix components,such as other connective tissue cells,but also are involved in force production. In the tissue remodelling phase of wound closure,integrinmediated interactions between MFs and type I collagen result in scar tissue formation. The tumour stroma in oral cancer actively recruits various cell types into the tumour mass,where they act as different sources of MFs. This article reviews the importance of MFs and its role in pathological processes such as wound healing,odontogenic cysts and tumours,salivary gland tumours,oral preneoplasia,and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Research oriented on blocking the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into MFs can facilitate the development of noninvasive therapeutic strategies for the treatment of fibrosis and/or cancer. Fibroblasts are the most abundant cellular components of connective tissue. They possess phenotypical heterogenicity and may be present in the form of smooth muscle cells or myofibroblasts (MFs). MFs are spindle-shaped cells with stress fibers and welldeveloped fibronexus, and they display α- smooth muscle actin immunohistochemically and smooth muscle of myofilaments ultrastructurally. MF derived play a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes. They play pivotal roles not only in synthesizing and producing extracellular matrix components, such as other connective tissue cells, but also are involved in force production. In the tissue remodeling phase of wound closure, integrinmediated interactions between MFs and type I collagen result in scar tissue formation. The tumour stroma in oral cancer activating recruits various cell types into the mass mass, where they act as different sources of MFs. This article reviews the importance of MFs and its role in patho logical processes such as wound healing, odontogenic cysts and tumors, salivary gland tumors, oral preneoplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Research oriented on blocking the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into MFs can facilitate the development of noninvasive therapeutic strategies for the treatment of fibrosis and / or cancer.