Parts of a Tooth and Surrounding Structures - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering tooth anatomy and the periodontal-supporting structures from the lecture notes.

Anatomical crown

The portion of the tooth covered by enamel, extending from the occlusal/incisal surface to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ).

Clinical crown

The portion of enamel visible in the oral cavity; may not correspond exactly to the anatomical crown.

Anatomical root

The portion of the tooth covered by cementum.

Clinical root

The portion of the tooth not visible in the mouth; may or may not correspond to the anatomical root.

Enamel

Hard, mineralized tissue that covers the dentin of the anatomical crown; the hardest calcified body tissue.

Ameloblast

Enamel-forming cells.

Dentin

Hard tissue forming the main body of the tooth; surrounds the pulp cavity and is covered by enamel in the crown and by cementum in the root.

Odontoblast

Dentin-forming cells.

Pulp

Living soft tissue in the pulp cavity containing the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves; the most internal structure of the tooth.

Pulp chamber

The central pulp-containing space within the crown portion of the tooth.

Root canal

The canal within a root that contains pulp tissue.

Cementum

Thin layer of hard calcified tissue covering the dentin of the anatomical root; attaches periodontal ligament fibers.

Cementoblast

Cells that form cementum.

Periodontal ligament

Thin fibrous ligament connecting the tooth to the lamina dura; acts as a shock absorber during chewing.

Lamina dura

Radiographic appearance of the alveolar bone proper around the root; historically called bundle bone (the dense line around the root).

Alveolar process

Part of the maxilla or mandible where tooth roots are embedded and supported; consists of alveolar bone proper and supporting alveolar bone.

Alveolar bone proper

0.1 to 0.4 mm thick bone surrounding the root; attachment site for principal PDL fibers; also called lamellar bone.

Lamellar bone

Bone containing osteons and Haversian canals; forms part of alveolar bone proper.

Bundle bone

Bone where the principal fibers of the PDL attach; radiographically the lamina dura.

Spongy bone

Cancellous bone filling the area between cortical plates and the alveolar bone proper; central mass of the alveolar bone.

Cortical plates

Compact bone forming the outer plates; thinner in the maxilla than the mandible; thickest near premolar to molar areas; buccal aspect.

Gingiva

Specialized mucous membrane covering the alveolar processes and encircling the necks of the teeth; supports and protects the tooth-supporting structures.

Free gingiva

Gingiva that can be displaced; not tightly bound to underlying structures; extends from the gingival crest to the bottom of the gingival sulcus.

Attached gingiva

Gingiva that covers the labial cortical plate and is firmly fixed to underlying bone.

Interdental papilla

Portion of the free gingiva that fills the proximal space below the contact areas between adjacent teeth; prevents food from packing between teeth.

Free gingival groove

Groove separating the free gingiva from the alveolar mucosa.

Mucogingival junction

Junction between gingiva and alveolar mucosa (transition zone).

Alveolar mucosa

Mucosa covering the alveolar process, located apical to the mucogingival junction.

Gingival sulcus

Shallow groove between the free gingiva and the tooth surface.

CEJ (cementoenamel junction)

The junction where enamel meets cementum around the tooth; also called cervical line.

Cervical line

Line around the external surface where enamel and cementum meet, marking the boundary between the crown and root; also known as CEJ.

DEJ (dentinoenamel junction)

Internal junction between dentin and enamel in the anatomical crown.

Apical foramen

Small opening at the apex of the root where nerves, arteries, and veins enter the tooth and connect with the pulp.

Cementum-attached ligaments/PDL attachment area

Cementum provides attachment for periodontal ligament fibers connecting the tooth to the alveolar bone.

Periodontium

Collectively, cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar process, and gingiva that support and surround teeth.

Basal bone

The portion of the jaw bone that forms the structural base beneath the alveolar bone proper.