Dentinal tubules
(Redirected from Dentinal tubule)
Dentinal Tubules are small canals that run from the outer surface of the tooth to the nerve in the center. They are part of the dentin – the hard, yellow substance beneath the tooth's enamel (the outer, white part of the tooth). Dentinal tubules contain fluid and are responsible for the sensation of pain in the tooth.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Dentinal tubules are long, thin tubes that extend from the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth) to the dentinoenamel junction (the boundary between the dentin and the enamel). They are filled with a fluid that is primarily water, but also contains organic substances. The tubules are lined with odontoblasts, which are cells that produce dentin.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of dentinal tubules is to provide a pathway for nutrients to reach the odontoblasts from the pulp. They also play a role in tooth sensitivity. When the fluid inside the tubules is disturbed – for example, by heat, cold, or pressure – it can trigger a pain response.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Dentinal tubules can become exposed when the enamel or cementum (the hard tissue that covers the root of the tooth) is worn away. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, as the tubules allow heat, cold, acidic or sticky substances to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing pain. Treatments for tooth sensitivity often aim to block the tubules, preventing stimuli from reaching the nerve.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Dentinal tubules Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD