Objective: To study the relationship between bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs),BMP receptor type IA (BMPR IA) and the oncogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma in oral epithelia. Methods: Expression of BMP 2/4,BMPR IA was immunohistochemistry analyzed in the specimens obtained from buccal mucosa, including 18 cases of normal mucosa(NB), 24 cases of chronic inflammation(NCI) and 58 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). Result: Weak staining of BMP 2/4 and BMPR IA was observed in normal and chronic inflammation samples,while stroug staining was found in 52 out of 58 cases of oral SCC. No significant difference was found among the heighly,intermediately and poorly differentiated SCC groups.Conclusion: BMP 2/4,BMP IA might be involved in oncogenesis and development of squamous cell carcinoma of oral epithelium.