THE TEETH 



255 



9 



the odontoblasts interlace with each other and firmly unite the 

 cells into a membranous layer. Other processes are given off from 

 the base of these cells and intermingle with the fibres of the pulp, 

 so that if this tissue is forcibly 

 separated from the dentine the 

 odontoblasts remain adherent to 

 the connective tissue of the pulp. 

 The nuclei of the odontoblasts are 

 found near their inner or basal ex- 

 tremity. Their cytoplasm is of con- 

 siderable extent as compared with 

 that of the other connective tissue 

 cells of the pulp. 



The dental pulp is richly sup- 

 plied with blood vessels, derived 

 from a nutrient artery which enters 

 through the root 

 canal, its branches 

 forming a network 

 of minute arterioles 

 and capillary ves- 

 sels in the center 

 of the pulp cavity, 

 and a peripheral 



f 



close-meshed capil- 

 lary network which 

 is in close rela- 

 tion with the layer 

 of odontoblasts. 

 There are no lym- 

 phatic vessels in 

 the tissue of the 

 dental pulp. 



A rich nerve 

 supply is derived 

 from fine branches 

 which also enter 

 by the root canal. 

 Most of the nerve 

 fibres lose their myelin sheaths soon after they enter the pulp. 

 They form a primary plexus in the connective tissue from which 





FIG. 214. FROM A LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF THE NECK 

 OF A CHILD'S TOOTH AND THE ADJACENT ALVEOLUS. 

 a, enamel ; J, cementum ; c, dentine ; d, bone ; , peri- 

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

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

 remnants ; Z, blood vessels, x 25. (After Kolliker.) 



