324 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



instead of forming bundles are arranged in an interlacing network, the 

 fine fibrils of which are in intimate relation with the connective tissue 



cells. It according- 

 ly closely resembles 

 reticular connective 

 tissue. The stellate 

 connective tissue 

 cells are scattered 

 throughout the en- 

 tire pulp, but at the 

 periphery of the 

 cavity are closely 

 crowded and are 

 much enlarged. 

 These peripheral 

 cells form a layer 

 o f odontoblasts 

 which is in contact 

 with the dentin. 



The odonto- 

 blasts are cylindri- 

 cal branched con- 

 nective tissue cells 

 whose long axis 

 (about 40 p.) is 

 perpendicular t o 

 the surface of the 

 adjacent dentin. 

 From their apex a 

 delicate process is 

 sent into the den- 

 tinal canals, in 

 which they fre- 

 quently extend all 

 the way through 

 the dentin. Lat- 

 eral processes from 

 the cell bodies of the odontoblasts interlace with each other and firmly 

 unite the cells into a membranous layer. Other processes are given off 

 irom the base of these cells and intermingle with the fibers of the pulp, 



FIG. 304. FROM A LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF THE NECK 

 OF A CHILD'S TOOTH AND THE ADJACENT ALVEOLUS. 



a, enamel; b, cementum; c, dentin; d, bone; e, peri- 

 osteum;/, corium; g, lymphoid tissue; //,, stratified epithe- 

 lium of the gum; i, circular dental ligament; k, epithelial 

 remnants; /, blood-vessels. X 25. (After Kolliker.) 



