Summary The clinical histories of six patients are described in whom seven odontogenic cysts recurred at the site of removal of the original cyst. All these cysts had an identical histological appearance in that the epithelium was keratinising and the cyst wall was thin and virtually free from inflammatory cell infiltrate. The presence of what appeared to be daughter cysts in the fibrous tissue wall was noted in three of the cysts. The significance of the relationship between the mode of growth and the recurrent behaviour of odontogenic cysts and their histological structure is discussed.