Name: ___ELDEN JAN RABANG_____________ Score: __________

Date: ________4-11-2023_________________

Exercise No. 14
THE ODONTOBLAST CELL
The odontoblast cell is one of the connective tissue cells
forming the ondontoblastic layer of the pulp and responsible for
depositing dentin. A mature cell resembles an osteoclast, its
height reflecting the shape of the nucleus.
Odontoblasts are small and oval when they first
differentiate but soon become columnar. These cells then develop
processes or extensions around which dentin forms. As the
process lengthens, the amount of dentin thickens. Then the
odontoblastic process develops many side branches. When these
branches develop, space is provided in the dentin for them.
Odonblasts are larger in coronal pulp than in the root and
appear columnar in the pulp horns. The process of the
odontoblasts is the largest part of the cell, extending from the
pulp to the dentinoenamel junction. The process arises from the
odontoblast at predentinal border, where the cell constricts as
the process enters the dentinal tubule.
The life span of the ondontoblast is generally believed to
be equal that the viable tooth, because the odontoblast is an
end cell, which means that once differentiated, it cannot
undergo further cell division. On occasion when pulp tissue is
exposed, repair can take place by the formation of new dentin.
It means that new odontoblast cells have differentiated and
migrated to the exposure site from the pulp tissue, most likely
from the cell-rich zone.
Objectives:
The student should be able to:
1. Know and study the different parts of the odontoblast
cell.
2. Describe the differentiation of the odontoblast cells
from the cell-rich zone.
3. Study the structure of the dentinal matrix.
Materials: Textbooks and reference books, drawing materials
Procedure:
1. From your textbook, draw and label completely the odontoblast
cell (fig 4-36).
2. From the compendium, draw and label completely the dental
matrix.
Questions:
1. Describe the following:
a. Peritubular Dentin d. Dentinal Tubule
b. Intertubular Dentin e. Granular Layer of Tomes
c. Mantle Dentin f. Interglobular Dentin

2. Give and describe the different types of dentin.

References:
Avedano, E.V. (1983). Compendium of Oral Histology and
Embryology. (Revised edition 1983) Quezon Ave., PH

Kumar, S.N., (2018). Orban's Oral Histology & Embryology. (14th

edition)

Prasad Krishnamurthy, (2019). Atlas of Oral Histology. (2nd

edition)