Odontoblasts
Odontoblasts (pronunciation: /oʊˈdɒntəˌblæsts/) are specialized cells that are part of the Dental pulp and are responsible for the formation of Dentin, the hard tissue that lies beneath the Enamel in a tooth.
Etymology
The term "Odontoblast" is derived from the Greek words "odonto" meaning tooth and "blastos" meaning germ.
Function
Odontoblasts are responsible for the production and mineralization of dentin, which forms the bulk of the tooth structure. They are located at the periphery of the dental pulp and extend their processes, known as Odontoblastic processes, into the dentinal tubules. These processes are believed to play a role in the sensation of tooth pain.
Development
Odontoblasts originate from the Dental papilla, a condensation of ectomesenchymal cells derived from the Neural crest. During tooth development, these cells differentiate into odontoblasts under the influence of signals from the Enamel organ, which is derived from the oral epithelium.
Related Terms
- Dentinogenesis: The process of dentin formation by odontoblasts.
- Dentin: The hard tissue produced by odontoblasts.
- Dental pulp: The part of the tooth that contains odontoblasts.
- Odontoblastic process: The extension of an odontoblast into the dentinal tubules.
- Tooth pain: A sensation that may be related to the function of odontoblastic processes.
- Dental papilla: The structure from which odontoblasts originate.
- Neural crest: The embryonic structure that gives rise to the dental papilla.
- Enamel organ: The structure that signals the differentiation of odontoblasts.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Odontoblasts
- Wikipedia's article - Odontoblasts
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