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Dentinal Tubules in Cross-Section
This is a cross section of dentinal tubules (A) in a ground section. Look carefully at the diameters of the black dots (cross sections of the odontoblast processes that fill the tubules). Note that they are not all of uniform diameter, nor are they uniformly distributed within the dentin. Note that those tubules of a smaller diameter have a "halo" or lighter area around them. A thin rim of very highly mineralized dentin, peritubular dentin, is deposited on the inside wall of the dentinal tubule. Usually the greatest deposits of peritubular dentin are found in the oldest regions of the dentinal tubules which lie most distal from the pulp.
Legend
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A - dentinal tubules |
B - intertubular dentin |
