Oral Anatomy, Microanatomy, and Physiology Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering oral anatomy, microanatomy, and physiology, including cell biology, embryology, and tooth development.

Nucleolus

Cell structure composed of RNA and CHON that serves as the cell's control center.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell responsible for ATP production through processes like pyruvate oxidation and the Krebs cycle.

Golgi Apparatus

Also called the Golgi body or complex; a bipolar organelle with a Cis face (receiving end) and Trans face (shipping end) that distributes, modifies, and packages molecules.

Ribosomes

Organelles consisting of small and large subunits responsible for protein synthesis.

Lysosome

Known as suicide bags or the cell's digestive system; contains acid hydrolases and an acidic interior for autophagy.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

A specialized type of endoplasmic reticulum responsible for $Ca^{2+}$ release.

Helicase

The 'unzipper' enzyme that unwinds and unzips the two strands of DNA during replication.

Primase

The 'green light' enzyme that lays down the primer or starting block for DNA replication.

Ligase

The 'glue' enzyme that connects Okazaki fragments formed during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process in which DNA serves as a template for the assembly of molecules of mRNA via RNA polymerase.

Translation

Also known as CHON synthesis; the process of making proteins and polypeptides from mRNA codons.

Labile Cells

Continuously dividing cells, such as those in the skin, vagina, mouth, and bone marrow.

Stable Cells

Resting cells with low levels of replication, such as hepatocytes, alveolar cells of the lungs, and kidney tubule epithelium.

Permanent Cells

Non-replicating cells that never divide, such as neurons and cardiac muscle.

Eclampsia

A pregnancy-related condition characterized by seizures or coma.

Pre-eclampsia

A pregnancy condition marked by proteinuria, rising blood pressure, and edema.

Mitosis

Cell division involving one division that produces diploid ($2n$) somatic cells.

Meiosis

Cell division involving two divisions that occurs only in sex cells and produces haploid ($n$) cells.

Morula

A stage of prenatal growth consisting of 16 or more cells.

Ectoderm

Germ layer that gives rise to the epidermis, enamel organ, eye lens, inner ear, and the CNS-PNS.

Mesoderm

Germ layer that develops into the dermis, dentin, muscle, bone, circulatory system, kidneys, and internal sex organs.

Endoderm

Germ layer that forms the GIT, gut, thyroid, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestine.

Stomodeum

The primitive oral cavity formed during the 3rd week of development.

Rathke's Pouch

A developmental structure that leads to the formation of the adenohypophysis.

Foramen Cecum

A pit at the center of the sulcus terminalis that is the site of the thyroglossal duct.

Dental Organ

Derivative of the oral epithelium (ectoderm) that forms the enamel.

Dental Papilla

Derivative of the ectomesenchyme that forms the dentin and pulp.

Dental Sac

Derivative of the ectomesenchyme that forms the periodontium, including the cementum, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament.

Hertwig’s Epithelial Root Sheath (HERS)

A structure derived from the cervical loop that guides root development.

Epithelial Diaphragm

The most apical segment of HERS that determines the total number of roots.

Initiation Stage

Physiological phase occurring at 6 to 6.5 weeks where tooth development begins; anomalies include supernumerary or congenitally missing teeth.

Nolla's Stage 6

The stage of calcification where the crown is completed.

Ankylosis

Also known as a submerged tooth, it is a break in the PDL membrane that causes a loss of arch length and delayed eruption.

Succedaneous Teeth

Permanent teeth that replace primary teeth.

Accessional Teeth

Permanent teeth that are not succedaneous to primary teeth, such as permanent molars.

Riga-Fede Disease

A disease associated with natal and neonatal teeth where it is recommended to smoothen incisal edges.

Oblique Ridge

A linear elevation unique to permanent maxillary molars located between the triangular ridge of the DB cusp and the distal cusp ridge of the ML cusp.

Primate Spaces

A sign of primary dentition characterized by specific spacing between teeth.

Enamel Rods

Also known as prisms; the fundamental morphologic unit of enamel that is perpendicular to the DEJ.

Incremental Lines of Retzius

Microscopic structural characteristics of enamel representing successive apposition of layers.

Hydrodynamic Theory

The most accepted theory of dentin hypersensitivity, stating that stimuli transmission is aided by fluid movement within dentinal tubules.

Sharpey’s Fibers

The terminal portions of collagen fibers from the PDL that attach into the alveolar bone and cementum.

Raschkow Plexus

A plexus in the pulp containing both afferent and sympathetic fibers.

Zone of Weil

The cell-free zone found in the peripheral area of the pulp.

Stipplings

An 'orange-peel' appearance of the attached gingiva caused by epithelial ridges and connective tissue papilla.

Col

A valley-like depression in the interdental papilla located apical to the contact area.

Transseptal Fibers

Also known as the interdental ligament; consistent fibers between adjacent teeth that are reconstructed even after alveolar bone destruction.

Von Ebner’s Glands

Purely serous minor salivary glands located near the circumvallate papilla.

Antrum of Highmore

The largest of all paranasal sinuses, also known as the maxillary sinus.

Le Fort I

A horizontal fracture of the maxilla.

Lingula

A landmark on the mandibular ramus that serves as the attachment for the sphenomandibular ligament.

Bennett Shift

The lateral excursion of the mandible toward the working side during functional movement.

Stensens Duct

The excretory duct of the parotid gland, which is the largest salivary gland.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN 5)

The largest cranial nerve, having three divisions: Ophthalmic (V1), Maxillary (V2), and Mandibular (V3).

Broca’s Area

The area of the brain responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

The area of the brain responsible for speech understanding.