TOOTH FOLLICLE AND ITS CONNEXIONS 325 



tissues of the follicle above, as these tissues are very much 

 narrowed just above the line of junction (see fig. 210 and 

 Plate V) with the tooth, and the nests of epithelial cells are 

 much compressed and obscured by the dense bands of con- 

 nective tissue ; also it must be remembered that in the 

 upper part of the follicle these epithelial cells have ceased their 

 functional activity and are probably undergoing absorp- 

 tion, while lower down, around the root, they are active and 



e.o 



FIG. 213. Junction of follicle and tooth under higher magnification 

 from a similar preparation, h. Hert wig's sheath ; e.o. enamel organ ; 

 c. cement ; d. dentine. ( x 400. ) 



fully developed during the formation of the dentine and 

 cement of the growing root. 



With regard to the actual sources of these cells, they are 

 probably derived from proliferations of the tooth-band 

 within the follicle, and possibly also from the buddings or 

 proliferations of the external epithelium of the enamel organ 

 with which the epithelial cells of the follicle form con- 

 nexions. See fig. 205. 



In young teeth with forming roots., the sheath of Hertwig 

 is seen passing down the side of the root parallel to its 

 surface but not in contact with it, and is a more or less 



