DDS Dental Anatomy and Histology 3

Question 1

The junction between enamel and dentin is characteristically scalloped to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent enamel fracture by interlocking the two tissues

Answer

The scalloped DEJ interdigitates enamel and dentin so that forces transmitted to enamel are distributed broadly, reducing crack propagation.

Question 2

Which type of enamel rod orientation is found in the cervical third of the crown?

Accepted Answer

Rods incline cervically (apically)

Answer

In the cervical third, enamel rods incline apically (cervically), which is important when performing cavity preparation to avoid undermined enamel.

Question 3

The incremental lines in dentin that correspond to the neonatal period are called:

Accepted Answer

Neonatal line

Answer

The neonatal line is a prominent incremental line in primary teeth dentin marking the abrupt physiologic change at birth.

Question 4

Which cell type in dental pulp is responsible for synthesizing collagen type III (reticulin fibers)?

Accepted Answer

Fibroblasts

Answer

Pulpal fibroblasts synthesize the collagen type III reticulin fibers that form the loose connective tissue framework of the dental pulp.

Question 5

The zone of Weil (cell-free zone) in dental pulp is located:

Accepted Answer

Immediately below the odontoblast layer

Answer

The cell-free zone of Weil lies just below (central to) the odontoblast layer and is relatively acellular, containing nerve plexus and capillaries.

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