ULTRASTRUCTURAL SURVEY OF CAT DENTINAL TUBULES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 122  (SEP) , 1-13
Abstract
The extent of the odontoblast process, the distribution of intratubular nerve-like structures, and tubule dimensions, were measured in cat dentine. The odontoblast process varies throughout the tooth. At most levels it is limited to inner dentine, extending further out only in the cervical region. This variation supports the view that the limited extent of the process occurs in vivo and is not an artefact of fixation. No nerve-like processes were found within dentinal tubules, indicating their rarity. The tubules in cat dentine are sparser and narrower than those of man and occupy a relatively smaller proportion of tissue volume. Some factor other than tubule numbers and size may be responsible for the greater access of chemical stimuli to nerve terminals beneath cat dentine compared to human.