Junctional epithelium

Junctional epithelium
The gingival sulcus (G) is bounded by the enamel of the crown (A) of the tooth and the sulcular epithelium. Immediately apical to the base of the pocket, and coronal to the most coronal of the gingival fibers (H) is the junctional epithelium.

The junctional epithelium is that epithelium which lies at, and in health also defines, the base of the gingival sulcus. It attaches to the surface of the tooth with hemidesmosomes and is, on average, roughly 1 mm in width, constituting about one half of the biologic width.[1]

The junctional epithelium lies immediately apical to the sulcular epithelium, which lines the gingival sulcus from the base to the free gingival margin, where it interfaces with the epithelium of the oral cavity.

Cells in the junctional epithelium tend to have wide inter-cellular spaces, to allow the transmission of white blood cells from blood vessels to the bottom of the gingival sulcus, to help prevent disease. Damage to the junctional epithelium results in it being irregular in texture, rather than smooth, and the formation of "pocket" epithelium, which is a primary symptom of gum disease.

References

  1. ^ Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 9th Ed. W.B. Saunders, 2002, page 23.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • junctional epithelium — a collarlike band of stratified squamous epithelium adhering on one side to the free gingiva and on the other to the crown of a tooth …   Medical dictionary

  • Epithelium — This article is about the epithelium as it relates to animal anatomy. For the fungal structure of the same name, see Pileipellis. Epithelium Code TH H2.00.02.0.00001 Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with… …   Wikipedia

  • Epithelium — The outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open surfaces of the body including the skin, and mucous membranes that communicate with the outside of the body. By contrast the endothelium is the layer of cells lining the closed internal… …   Medical dictionary

  • Sulcular epithelium — The sulcular epithelium is that epithelium which lines the gingival sulcus. [Carranza s Clinical Periodontology, W.B. Saunders, 2002, page 23.] It is apically bounded by the junctional epithelium and meets the epithelium of the oral cavity at the …   Wikipedia

  • Crown lengthening — Intervention MeSH D016556 …   Wikipedia

  • Tooth development — Radiograph of lower right (from left to right) third, second, and first molars in different stages of development. Tooth development or odontogenesis is the complex process by which teeth form from embryonic cells, grow, and erupt into the mouth …   Wikipedia

  • Clinical attachment loss — (CAL) is the predominant clinical manifestation and determinant of periodontal disease. Anatomy of the attachment Teeth are attached to the surrounding and supporting alveolar bone by periodontal ligament (PDL) fibers; these fibers run from the… …   Wikipedia

  • Laser-assisted new attachment procedure — (LANAP), is a therapy designed for the effective treatment of periodontitis through regeneration rather than resection. This therapy, and the laser which performs it (The PerioLase MVP 7, Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc.) have long been in… …   Wikipedia

  • Tooth — Infobox Anatomy Name = Teeth Caption = An adult human s teeth. Caption2 = CGI posterior view of teeth taken from inside of mouthTeeth (singular, Tooth) are small whitish structures found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates that are used… …   Wikipedia

  • Tooth (human) — For other uses of tooth or teeth , see Tooth (disambiguation). Teeth An adult human s teeth …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”