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Enamel Tufts
Dentin (A) lies to the left in this field and
enamel (B) to the right. In addition to several
enamel spindles (C), note the dark grass tuft-like
structures arising at the
D-E junction (D) that pass up into the enamel -
hence their name - enamel tufts (E). Note that they
do not extend very far into the enamel layer, about 1/5 to
1/3rd of its thickness. Enamel tufts are hypo-mineralized
enamel rods, and as such, run ribbon-like in line with the
longitudinal axis of the tooth. In contrast to enamel
spindles, enamel tufts follow the direction of the enamel
rods.
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Legend
A - dentin
B - enamel
C - enamel spindles
D - D-E junction
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E - enamel tufts
F - interglobular dentin
G - mantle dentin
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