The purpose of this study is to investigate on the clinical and radiographic patterns of residual cyst of the jaw for early diagnosis and treatment. The auther studied 87 cases of residual cyst with regard to age, sex distribution, the site of the lesion and several radiographic features. The results were as follows: 1. The average age was found to be 42.6 years, with a range of 15 to 84 years. The incidence was highest in the third and fourth decades(50.6%) and total 87 cases consist of 47 males and 38 females. 2. The common clinical symptoms were pus discharge, swelling, pain and no symptoms was presented in 5 cases(12.5%). 3. Residual cysts were found to be 46.0% maxillary anterior region, 18.4% maxillary molar region, 17.2% mandibular molar region and to be more common in the maxilla(70.1%) than in the mandible(29.9%) 4. Most of residual cysts were unilocular type(86 cases, 98.8%), showing distinct border(62 cases, 71.3%) with smooth margin(78 cases, 89.7%). 5. The adjacent teeth showed root resorption in 13 cases(14.9%), and root divergence in 16 cases(18.4%). 6. The residual cysts extended to the nasal fossa(22 cases, 22.5%), the maxillary sinus(19 cases, 19.4%) and caused the displacement of the mandibular canal wall (11 cases, 11.2%)