VETBRINART DENTAL SURGERT. 19 



The dental pulp (Fig. 4-4) is enclosed in the den- 

 tine and represents the shape of the tooth in a much 

 diminished size. It consists of fribrilated connective 

 tissue devoid of any elastic fibers. The dental pulp 

 receives the blood vessels and nerves, and is covered 

 by a thin membrane, composed of cells resembling 

 cylinder epithelium which contain one or two nuclei. 

 They are connected with one another and with the 

 spindle cells, which lie just beneath them, by fine 

 processes and also send processes into the dentinal 

 canals. Although dentine is often very sensitive 

 when exposed, there has never been any nerve fibers 

 traced leading from the pulp into the dentine. The 

 vessels of the pulp are very numerous and enter the 

 tooth through the dentinal foramen at the apex of 

 the root, traverse the pulp and at its upper surface 

 form circles. This gives to the pulp the appearance 

 of cavernous tissue. The nerves which are from the 

 fifth pair (sensory), enter with the blood vessels and 

 form numerous branches within the pulp. 



As age advances the pulp and pulp cavity dimin- 

 ish in size, owing to the formation of osteo-dentine 

 around that organ. This osteo-dentine is deposited 

 by the pericementum which lines the pulp cavity as 

 well as covering the root of the tooth. In old ani- 

 mals the pulp cavity is sometimes nearly obliterated, 

 and is always smaller than in young animals. 



The receding of the pulp and the closing of the 



