270 MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF THE TEETH 



stained cells or cell nuclei crowded upon and following the 

 course of the bundles of connective-tissue fibres above 

 described. 



These cells are distinctly smaller than the odontoblasts, 

 so that one would conclude that among the odontoblasts 

 are other cells which play an important part in dentine 

 development but are not arranged in a definite layer. 

 The author has since shown that these cells are not destitute 



FIG. 171. Human premolar. Margin of pulp cavity. a. opposite 

 a stellate connective-tissue cell sending processes into the forming dentine. 

 (x,350.) 



of processes as stated in his paper, but a differential connec- 

 tive-tissue stain shows long processes proceeding from them 

 and a very definite amount of cytoplasm around the nucleus 

 (fig. 171). 



In sections cut in the plane of the odontoblasts, where 

 these larger fibre bundles are not present, a distinct reticulum 

 of fine connective-tissue fibres can be seen passing between 

 and enveloping the odontoblasts, and by careful focusing 

 they can be seen to be gathered into bundles and incor- 

 porated with the matrix substance out of which they appear 

 to spring. The small elongated and irregular-shaped 

 connective-tissue cells are seen mingled with the odonto- 



