PAPILLA DENTIS Meaning and
Definition
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Papilla dentis refers to the dental papilla, which is a small, cone-shaped mass of connective tissue located in the center of a developing tooth. It is one of the main components of the tooth germ or bud, which is the early stage of tooth formation during embryonic development.
The papilla dentis plays a vital role in tooth development and is responsible for the growth and differentiation of various dental tissues. It contains cells that will eventually give rise to the dentin and pulp of the tooth. Dentin is the hard tissue that forms the bulk of the tooth structure and surrounds the pulp, which is the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels.
During tooth development, the dental papilla interacts with the epithelial cells of the enamel organ, another crucial component of the tooth germ, to initiate a series of complex processes that lead to the formation of the tooth crown.
The papilla dentis also gives rise to the odontoblasts, specialized cells that are involved in the production and secretion of dentin throughout the life of the tooth. They are located at the periphery of the dental pulp and extend their long processes into the dentin tubules.
Overall, the papilla dentis is a key structure in tooth development, contributing to the formation of dentin and pulp, thereby playing a significant role in the overall structure and function of a tooth.
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Dentine papilla, a projection of the connective tissue of the jaw into the cup of the enamel organ, later forming the dentine (substantia eburnea) of the tooth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PAPILLA DENTIS
Etymology of PAPILLA DENTIS
The word "papilla dentis" originates from Latin.
- "Papilla" comes from the Latin term "papilla" which means "nipple" or "small protuberance". In anatomy, it refers to small, rounded, or nipple-like structures found in various parts of the body.
- "Dentis" is the genitive form of the Latin word "dens" which translates to "tooth".
Therefore, "papilla dentis" literally means "nipple of the tooth" or "tooth nipple" in Latin. In anatomy, it specifically refers to the small, raised structures found in the gums surrounding the base of the tooth where blood vessels and nerves enter.
