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Zones of the Pulp
The pulp cavity exhibits four zones as you progress from the dentin-pulp junction toward the center of the pulp cavity: 1) the odontoblast zone, 2) cell-free zone (basal layer of Weil), 3) cell-rich zone, and 4) the pulp core. A cell-free zone is not present in developing teeth but becomes prominent in the coronal pulp after development. The cell-rich zone lies immediately under the cell-free zone and contains numerous fibroblasts, macro-phages and capillaries. The capillaries arise from arterioles (C) deeper in the pulp but are commonly found adjacent to, or even within, the odontoblast layer. A large nerve bundle (B) is evident in this image forming part of the subondontoblastic plexus (of Raschkow). Nerve fibers pass from the plexus out toward the dentin. Occasionally a nerve fiber extends a short distance into the dentinal tubule with the odontoblast process. Pain is the only sensation carried from the pulp to the conscious level.
Legend
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1 - odontoblast zone |
A - Dentin |
