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Cap Stage of Morphodifferentiation
The cap shape of the dental organ is more distinct in this image. The vestibular lamina lies just outside the field to the left. The dental lamina (A) appears as a strand of epithelial tissue that connects the dental organ to the upper wall of the developing vestibular lamina. The dental organ (B through D), in the cap stage, consists of inner dental epithelium, IDE, (B) which forms the inner lining of the cap, outer dental epithelium, ODE, (C) which forms the outer lining of the cap, and the stellate reticulum (D) occupying the area between the two epithelial layers. The ODE and IDE are continuous at the cervical loop (E) - the rim of the cap. The condensed mesen-chymal cells (F) capped by the dental organ will form the dental papilla. Another condensation of mesenchyme that surrounds the dental organ and merges with the dental papilla is the dental follicle or sac (G). The dental organ and the dental papilla and follicle together are called the tooth germ. since at this stage, all of the formative tissues are present which will give rise to a complete tooth.
Legend
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A - dental lamina |
E - cervical loop |
