Ameloblast

Ameloblast

Ameloblasts are cells that deposit enamel, the hard outer most layer that forms the chewing surface.

Ameloblasts are cells which secrete the enamel proteins enamelin and amelogenin which will later mineralize to form enamel on teeth, the strongest substance in the human body. Each Ameloblast is approximately 4 micrometers in diameter, 40 micrometers in length and has a hexagonal cross section. The secretory end of the ameloblast ends in a six sided pyramid like projection known as the Tomes' process. The angulation of the Tomes' process is significant in the orientation of enamel rods.Ameloblasts are derived from oral epithelium tissue of ectodermal origin. Their differentiation is a result of signaling from the ectomesenchymal cells of the dental papilla. The ameloblasts will only become fully functional after the first layer of dentine has been formed, as such dentine is a precursor to enamel. Ameloblasts control ionic and organic compositions of enamel. They adjust their secretory and resorptive activities to maintain favorable conditions for biomineralization.

ee also

*Ameloblastoma
*Ameloblastin


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ameloblast — noun Etymology: obsolete amel enamel (Middle English, ultimately from Old French esmail) + o + blast more at enamel Date: 1882 one of a group of columnar epithelial cells that produce and deposit enamel on the surface of a deve …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • ameloblast — ameloblastic, adj. /am euh loh blast /, n. Anat. one of a layer of enamel secreting cells covering the dentin of a developing tooth. [1875 80; (EN)AMEL + O + BLAST] * * * …   Universalium

  • ameloblast — noun An epithelial cell that forms the enamel of the developing tooth …   Wiktionary

  • ameloblast — One of the columnar epithelial cells of the inner layer of the enamel organ of a developing tooth, concerned with the formation of enamel matrix. SYN: enamel cell, enameloblast, ganoblast. [Early E. amel, enamel …   Medical dictionary

  • Ameloblast — Ame|lo|blạst, der; en, en [zu ↑Enamelum u. griech. blastós = Spross, Trieb] (Med.): Adamantoblast …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Ameloblast — Amelo|blạst [Kurzbildung aus ↑Enamelum u. ↑...blast] m; en, en (meist Mehrz.): = Adamantoblast …   Das Wörterbuch medizinischer Fachausdrücke

  • Ameloblast — Ame|lo|blast* der; en, en Kurzw. aus ↑Enamelum u. gr. blastós »Spross, Trieb«> svw. ↑Adamantoblast …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • ameloblast — n. layer of cells which excrete enamel during the formation of a tooth …   English contemporary dictionary

  • ameloblast — am·e·lo·blast …   English syllables

  • ameloblast — n. a cell that forms the enamel of a tooth and disappears before tooth eruption …   The new mediacal dictionary

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