Characteristics of the transverse 2D uniserial arrangement of rows of decussating enamel rods in the inner enamel layer of mouse mandibular incisors.

Characteristics of the transverse 2D uniserial arrangement of rows of decussating enamel rods in the inner enamel layer of mouse mandibular incisors.
J Anat. 2019 Aug 11;:
Authors: Smith CE, Hu Y, Hu JC, Simmer JP
Abstract
The 2D arrangement of rows of enamel rods with alternating (decussating) tilt angles across the thickness of the inner layer in rat and mouse incisor enamel is well known and assumed to occur in a uniform and repetitive pattern. Some irregularities in the arrangement of rows have been reported, but no detailed investigation of row structure across the entire inner enamel layer currently exists. This investigation was undertaken to determine if the global row pattern in mouse mandibular incisor enamel is predominately regular in nature with only occasional anomalies or if rows of enamel rods have more spatial complexity than previously suspected. The data from this investigation indicate that rows of enamel rods are highly variable in length and have complex transverse arrangements across the width and thickness of the inner enamel layer. The majority of rows are short or medium in length, with 87% having < 100 rods per row. The remaining 13% are long rows (with 100-233 rods per row) that contain 46% of all enamel rods seen in transverse sections. Variable numbers of rows were associated with the lateral, central and mesial regions of the enamel layer. Each region contained different ratios of short, medium and ...

Source: Journal of Anatomy - August 10, 2019 Category: Anatomy Authors: Smith CE, Hu Y, Hu JC, Simmer JP Tags: J Anat Source Type: research