cementum (s mentum), n a specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the anatomic root of a tooth, giving attachment to the

periodontal ligament.

Cementum. cementum, abnormalities of, n.pl includes the reversal lines in the cementum, which represent bone tissue resorption or cementum resorption. Cementicles are calcified epithelial cells found in older persons. Hypercementosis is cementum overgrowth on the roots. See also reversal lines, cementicle, and hypercementosis. cementum, acellular, n the cementum that contains no cementocytes. cementum, cellular, n the portion of the calcified substance covering the root surfaces of the teeth. It is bonelike and contains cementocytes embedded within lacunae, with protoplasmic processes of the cementocytes coursing through canaliculi that anastomose with canaliculi of adjacent lacunae. The lacunae are dispersed through a calcified matrix arranged in lamellar form. It is localized primarily at the apical portion of the root but may deposit over the acellular cementum or serve to repair areas of cemental resorption. cementum, collagen fibrils of, n the fibrils that penetrate the cementum surface and are continuous with the periodontal fibers necessary for tooth support. cementum, lamellar, n the cementum in which layers of appositional cementum are arranged in a sheaflike pattern, the layers of cementum being more or less parallel to the cemental surface and demarcated by incremental lines that represent periods of inactivity of cementum formation. cementum, necrotic, n nonvital cementum that is situated coronal to the bottom of the periodontal pocket. cementum, properties of, n.pl the calcified, avascular connective tissue that is derived from the dental sac and functions in protecting the roots of teeth. cementum, secondary, n the term used to describe all subsequent layers of cementum formed after the primary layer. It may be cellular or acellular. Mosby's Dental Dictionary, 2nd edition. 2008 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. cementum the bonelike connective tissue covering the root of a tooth and assisting in tooth support.

Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3 ed. 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved

The cementum is the surface layer of the tooth root (B). Rather than being a passive entity like paint on a wall, cementum is a dynamic entity within the periodontium. It is attached to the alveolar bone (C) by the fibers of the periodontal ligament and to the soft tissue of the gingiva by the gingival fibers (H). Cementum [1] is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth. Cementum is excreted by cells called cementoblasts within the root of the tooth and is thickest at the root apex. Its coloration is yellowish and it is softer than enamel and dentin due to being less mineralized. The principal role of cementen within the tooth is to serve as a medium by which the periodontal ligaments can attach to the tooth for stability. Hence, its bottom surface is tangent to the periodontal ligaments running through the jaw (via collagen fibers), and the upper portion of the surface is firmly cemented to the dentin of the tooth. It also meets the enamel lower on the tooth at the cemento-enamel junction. Here the cementum is known as acellular cementum due to its lack of cellular components, and covers approximately 1/3-1/2 of the root. The more permeable form of cementen, cellular cementum, covers 1/3-1/2 of the root apex, where it binds to the dentin. There is also a third type of cementum, afibrillar cementum, which sometimes extends onto the enamel of the tooth. The chemical makeup of cementum is similar to that of bone, but it lacks vascularization. Volumetrically, it is approximately 45% inorganic material (mainly hydroxyapatite), 33% organic material (mainly collagen type1]) and 22% water.

The maxilla (plural: maxillae) is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible, which is also a fusion of two halves at the mental symphysis.

The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. The term jaws is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it and is part of the body plan of most animals.

Function
The alveolar process of the maxilla holds the upper teeth, and is referred to as the maxillary arch. The maxilla attaches laterally to the zygomatic bones (cheek bones). The maxilla assists in forming the boundaries of three cavities:

the roof of the mouth the floor and lateral wall of the nasal antrum the floor of the orbit

The maxilla also enters into the formation of two fossae: the infratemporal and pterygopalatine, and two fissures, the inferior orbital and pterygomaxillary. [edit]

Components

Each half of the fused maxilla consists of:

The body of the maxilla Four processes

The zygomatic process The frontal process The alveolar process The palatine process

Infraorbital foramen

[edit]

Articulations

The maxilla articulates with nine bones:

two of the cranium: the frontal and ethmoid

seven of the face: the nasal, zygomatic, lacrimal, inferior nasal concha, palatine, vomer, and the adjacent fused maxillary bone. Sometimes it articulates with the orbital surface, and sometimes with the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.