ODONTOBLAST Meaning and
Definition
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Odontoblasts are specialized cells found in the pulp of teeth that play a crucial role in the formation and ongoing maintenance of dentin, the hard tissue that makes up the bulk of the tooth structure beneath the enamel and cementum. These cells are derived from the dental papilla and are responsible for the secretion of dentin matrix proteins and the subsequent mineralization of dentin.
Odontoblasts are long and slender cells that are arranged in a layer adjacent to the pulp and are primarily located along the outer borders of the pulp chamber. They have an elongated cell body and a single elongated process that extends into the dentin, known as an odontoblastic process. This process traverses the tubules of the dentin and is responsible for the deposition of dentin matrix components.
Odontoblasts serve as a protective barrier for the pulp by producing new dentin in response to injury or decay, helping to repair and strengthen the tooth. They also play a vital role in tooth sensitivity, as their processes contain sensory nerve endings that can detect changes in the external environment and transmit pain signals to the central nervous system.
Overall, odontoblasts are essential cells within the tooth structure, responsible for the production and maintenance of dentin, which contributes to the strength and integrity of the tooth.
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One of a layer of columnar cells, lining the pulp-cavity of a tooth, which form dentine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ODONTOBLAST
- idontoblast
- kdontoblast
- ldontoblast
- pdontoblast
- 0dontoblast
- 9dontoblast
- osontoblast
- oxontoblast
- ocontoblast
- ofontoblast
- orontoblast
- oeontoblast
- odintoblast
- odkntoblast
- odlntoblast
- odpntoblast
- od0ntoblast
- od9ntoblast
- odobtoblast
- odomtoblast
Etymology of ODONTOBLAST
The word "odontoblast" has its roots in two Greek terms, "odonto" and "blast".
The term "odonto" comes from the Greek word "odous", meaning "tooth". It refers to any word or concept related to teeth.
The suffix "blast" comes from the Greek word "blastos", meaning "germ" or "bud". In anatomy and biology, the term "blast" refers to an immature or embryonic cell that has the potential to develop into a specific type of cell.
Thus, when we combine "odonto" with "blast" in the word "odontoblast", it refers to a specific type of cell found in teeth. Odontoblasts are the specialized cells responsible for the formation of dentin, the hard tissue that makes up the majority of a tooth.
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