242 MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF THE TEETH 



imperfect, these interglobular spaces are very abundant, and 

 are usually associated with very conspicuous defects in the 

 enamel. The contents of the interglobular spaces are usually 

 granular, but sometimes appear quite clear. It was noticed 

 by Tomes that in caries of the dentine the tubes filled 

 with micro-organisms are more expanded or dilated within 

 the interglobular spaces, as they probably meet with less 

 resistance than in the calcified dentine. In advanced caries 

 beneath the enamel the interglobular spaces break down 



FIG. 146. Interglobular spaces in dentine. ( x 300.) 



and are often seen to be crowded with micro-organisms. The 

 spaces are probably occupied by the uncalcified ground 

 substance of the dentine as first stated by Kolliker. 



The fact that the tubes of the dentine communicate with 

 the spaces of the granular layer, while in the larger spaces 

 they form no such communication, would apparently point 

 to the explanation that the spaces of the granular layer 

 represent a normal and functional structure, while the 

 larger spaces are due to a defect in calcification. 



A curious condition which the author has met with 



