Ameloblast
Ameloblast
Ameloblast (/əˈmɛləˌblæst/; from the Greek words 'amelos' meaning enamel and 'blastos' meaning germ) is a type of cell that is part of the odontogenic epithelium. It is involved in the formation of enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, during the process of tooth development.
Function
Ameloblasts are responsible for the production and secretion of enamel during the appositional growth stage of tooth development. They deposit enamel matrix proteins, including amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin, which mineralize to form mature enamel.
Structure
Ameloblasts are columnar cells, each with a single nucleus located at the opposite end from the secretory surface. They are organized into groups called ameloblast rosettes.
Clinical significance
Abnormalities in ameloblast function can lead to a variety of dental conditions, including amelogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition characterized by abnormal enamel formation.
Related terms
- Odontoblast: A cell involved in the formation of dentin, the substance beneath the enamel that makes up the bulk of a tooth.
- Cementoblast: A cell that produces cementum, the substance that covers the root of a tooth.
- Ameloblastoma: A rare, benign tumor of odontogenic epithelium, often associated with the third molar or wisdom tooth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ameloblast
- Wikipedia's article - Ameloblast
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski