(10 of 33)
Incremental Lines in Enamel
Note the lines of Retzius (A) that form an uninterrupted layer over the cusp - no part of it reaching the surface of the enamel. Lines of Retzius will not reach the surface until the thickness of the enamel in the cusp region is completed. The first line of Retzius occurs at birth and it is given a special name, the neonatal line. It reflects the dis-turbed functioning of the amelo-blasts that results from the change from intrauterine to extrauterine environments. Prenatal enamel (enamel deposited before birth) is devoid of lines of Retzius. Only deciduous teeth and 1st permanent molars possess prenatal enamel and will have a neonatal line.
Legend
|
A - line of Retzius |
C - interglobular dentin |
Lecture Notes
