Tooth - Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy of the Enamel Organ

Histology of Enamel Organ - Copyright RVC 2008

The main components which form the enamel organ are:

• Outer epithelium
• Stellate reticulum- star shaped cells lying between the outer and inner epithelial layers. It has the appearance of connective tissue but is of epithelial derivation.
• Inner epithelium which becomes the enamel secreting ameloblast layer

The enamel organ has many different components. These consist of:

Crown

The crown is covered by enamel. It meets the root at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ).

The crown of incisors have only one cusp. The crown of molars have up to 4 cusps for the grinding of food.

• Root
• Alveolar bone
• Lamina dura
• Enamel
• Dentine
• Cementum
• Pulp
• Periodontal ligament

Enamel Organ Layers - Copyright RVC 2008

The main cells of the enamel organ are:

• Ameloblasts
• Odontoblasts
• Cementoblasts