A Review of the Epithelial Cell Rests of Malassez on the Bicentennial of Their Description Davis, Eric M Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, December 2018, Vol.35(4), pp.290-298

Question 1

In what portions of the periodontal ligament are the ERM cells most abundant?

Answer 1

In the cervical and furcation zones of the periodontal ligament.

Question 2

What changes occur in the distribution and nture of the ERM as an animal ages?

Answer 2

Initially they are spread like a fishnet over the entire root system. As the animal ages they become larger in size, fewer in number, with a greater distance between them.

Question 3

What proteins are the ERM cells capable of expressing?

Answer 3

growth factors similar to other cells of epithelial

origin and mesenchymal origin

Question 4

How does HERS affect the type of tooth anchorage to the jaw?

Answer 4

If HERS remains complete and does not fenestrate, residual clusters of ERM are not produced, the mesenchymal tissues responsible for a flexible attachment apparatus do not reach the root surface, and fusion of tooth to bone results

Question 5

What role do the ERM play in the periodontal ligament?

Answer 5

maintaining periodontal width

Question 6

What is the mean width of the periodontal ligament in cats and range?

and width in dogs?

Answer 6

Cats; 149um

range 135-169

Dogs; 150 - 200 um

Question 7

what function do ERM cells play in innervation of the PDL?

Answer 7

A close association between ERM cells and nerve endings within the PDL space has been observed, and experimental transection of the inferior mandibular nerve resulted in disappearance of ERM cells and development of dentoalveolar ankylosis.