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Formation of Periodontal Ligament
During tooth development, the dental follicle embraces the dental organ and the mesenchyme (A) gives rise to fibroblasts and macrophages. Capillaries (B) and nerves invade the region by the time the dental organ is forming the crown of the tooth. This stage of development is seen here and it remains little changed in appearance until the tooth starts to erupt and the root begins to develop. The dental follicle then develops into the periodontal ligament which anchors the tooth by its root(s) to the surrounding alveolar bone (C). Identify the remaining labelled structures.
Legend
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A - mesenchyme |
E - enamel |
