Mandible & maxilla
General
Anatomy & histology
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 October 2013
Last staff update: 28 August 2020
Copyright: 2004-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Mandible maxilla histology[title]
Table of Contents
Anatomy | Development | Three phases of activity | Teeth | Ameloblasts | Cementicles | Cementum | Dental lamina | Dental pulp | Dentin | Enamel | Nests of Serres | Odontoblasts | Rests of Malassez | Drawings | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) imagesCite this page: Pernick N. Anatomy & histology. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mandiblemaxillahistology.html. Accessed April 23rd, 2024.
Anatomy
- Contain primitive embryonic structures from early fetal development to 25 years of age
- Divided into alveolar bone (supports teeth) and body with variable thickness ranging from paper thin overlying roots of cuspid (canines) and bicuspid (premolar) teeth to thick at apex of chin
- Mandible
- Receptor for lower teeth
- Consists of curved horizontal body and two perpendicular rami
- Maxillae
- Forms upper jaw, boundaries of roof of mouth, floor and lateral wall of nose, floor of orbit
- Consists of zygomatic, frontal, alveolar and palatine processes
Development
- Primitive oral cavity (dental lamina, derived from ectoderm) invaginates, acquires a bell shape, and ameloblasts develop along inner (concave) surface; called "enamel organ" at this stage
- Dental papilla, derived from mesoderm, forms within "enamel organ", is loose stellate reticulum; its outer layer matures to become odontoblasts
- Dental sac or follicle forms from outer layer of dental papillae / odontoblasts, which form periodontium, a fibrous sheath enveloping the tooth
- Inner layer of dental sac becomes cementoblasts and deposit cement over newly formed dentin, and outer layer of dental sac becomes osteoblasts and produces alveolar bone
Three phases of activity
- Initiation of entire deciduous dentition (first set of teeth) during second month of gestation (above)
- Initiation of permanent dentition (second set of teeth) and extension of dental lamina distal to dental organ of second deciduous molar
- After 5 - 6 years of activity, dental lamina breaks up into epithelial rests or islands that may develop into odontogenic cysts or tumors
Teeth
- From medial to lateral:
- Incisors
- Canines (cuspids)
- Premolars (bicuspids)
- Molars
Ameloblasts
- Also called adamantoblasts
- Secrete enamel matrix
Cementicles
- Rounded, strongly basophilic structures normally within periodontal ligament
Cementum
- Similar to bone, cellular or acellular, intensely basophilic
- Also present in other parts of skeletal system
Dental lamina
- Epithelium with potential to develop teeth
- Derived from primitive oral epithelium along free margin of arches of jaws
Dental pulp
- Hypocellular, myxoid
- Resembles myxoma but is compact and has peripheral odontoblasts
Dentin
- Radially striated due to numerous minute canals (dentinal tubules) containing cytoplasmic processes from odontoblasts
- Resembles osteoid if tubules / canals are absent
Enamel
- Thin rods or prisms separated on cross section by concentric lines of Retzius
Nests of Serres
- Nests of ameloblasts, cementoblasts and odontoblasts located in alveolar mucosa, due to breakup of dental lamina
Odontoblasts
- Form dentinal matrix
Rests of Malassez
- Nests of ameloblasts, cementoblasts and odontoblasts embedded within periodontium
Drawings
Images hosted on other servers:
Side view of the teeth and jaws
Mandible outer surface
Mandible inner surface
Lower dental arch
Maxilla outer surface
Maxilla nasal surface
Left maxillary sinus opened from the exterior
Maxilla hard palate
Mandible of early fetus
Histology of growing tooth
Permanent teeth
Tooth
Tooth in situ
Tooth of early fetus
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Composed of outer enamel adjacent to dentin and inner pulp
- Surrounded by periodontal membrane and attached to bone by cementum
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Developing tooth (odontoblast and periodontal membrane)
