DENTINAL CARTILAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Dentinal cartilage refers to a specialized type of connective tissue found within the teeth of certain animal species. Specifically, it is present in the dentin layer of the tooth, which is situated between the outer protective enamel and the innermost pulp. Dentinal cartilage is characterized by its unique composition and function in providing structural support and flexibility to the tooth structure.
This type of cartilage is primarily composed of specialized cells called odontoblasts, which are responsible for the formation of dentin. These odontoblasts produce an extracellular matrix that contains collagen fibers, proteoglycans, and mineralized deposits. The mineralized deposits give dentinal cartilage its characteristic hardness and calcified appearance.
Dentinal cartilage acts as a protective and shock-absorbing layer, offering resistance to external mechanical forces that may be encountered during biting, chewing, or normal wear and tear. It helps to distribute the forces evenly throughout the tooth structure, preventing fractures or damage to the delicate pulp within.
While dentinal cartilage is primarily found in certain species of animals, such as sharks and certain reptiles, it is not present in human teeth. Instead, human teeth have a different structure, with dentin being directly adjacent to the pulp. Dentinal cartilage is a specialized adaptation that contributes to the overall function and durability of teeth in specific animal species.
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The animal matter of dentine remaining when the earthy matter has been dissolved out with acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DENTINAL CARTILAGE
- dentinal cartilagg
- dentinnalcartilage
- d entinal cartilage
- de ntinal cartilage
- den tinal cartilage
- dent inal cartilage
- denti nal cartilage
- dentin al cartilage
- dentina l cartilage
- dentinal c artilage
- dentinal ca rtilage
- dentinal car tilage
- dentinal cart ilage
- dentinal carti lage
- dentinal cartil age
- dentinal cartila ge
- dentinal cartilag e
Etymology of DENTINAL CARTILAGE
The word "dentinal" is derived from "dentin", which refers to the hard, calcified tissue that forms the majority of a tooth. "Dentin" comes from the Latin word "dens" meaning "tooth". The suffix "-al" in "dentinal" is commonly used to denote a relationship or association.
The term "cartilage" comes from the Latin word "cartilago", which means "gristle". Cartilage refers to a tough, flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as joints and the skeleton.
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