Chapter 1) Periodontium: The Tooth-Supporting Structures

Question 1

Periodontium

Answer 1

The functional system of tissue that surrounds the teeth and attaches them to the jaw bone.

Question 2

Gingiva

Answer 2

The tissue that covers the cervical portions of the teeth and the alveolar processes of the jaws.

Question 3

Periodontal ligament

Answer 3

The fibres that surround the root of the tooth. These fibres attach to the bone of the socket on one side and to the cementum of the root on the other side.

Question 4

Cementum

Answer 4

The thin layer of mineralized tissues, that covers the root of the tooth.

Question 5

Alveolar bone

Answer 5

The bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth. It forms the boney sockets that support and protect the roots of the teeth.

Question 6

Gingival margin

Answer 6

Terminal edge of gingiva (gums) that surrounds the teeth

Question 7

Alveolar mucosa

Answer 7

Thin, nonkeratinized mucus membrane that covers the alveolar process of the jaws. Can be easily distinguished by it’s dark, red color, and smooth, shiny surface.

Question 8

Gingival groove

Answer 8

Shallow linear depression, that separates the free unattached gingiva. (this line is rarely visible to the naked eye)

Question 9

Mucogingival Junction

Answer 9

The clinically visible boundary where the pink attached gingiva meets the red, shiny alveolar, mucosa.
(clinically visible means that this landmark is readily seen by the naked eye)

Question 10

Attached gingiva

Answer 10

Continuous with the free gingiva, and is the part of the gingiva that is tightly bound to the underlying cementum on the cervical, third of the root and to the periosteum. (Connective tissue cover) of the alveolar bone.

Question 11

Stippling

Answer 11

In health, the surface of the attached gingiva may have a dimpled appearance similar to the skin of an orange peel. Acts to provide mechanical reinforcement to the gingiva.

Question 12

Interdental gingiva

Answer 12

The portion of the gingiva that fills the interdental embrasure between two adjacent teeth, apical to the contact area.

Question 13

Papillae

Answer 13

The lateral borders and tip of an interdental papilla are formed by the free gingiva from the adjacent teeth.

the centre portion of the interdental papilla is formed by the attached gingiva.

Question 14

Gingival col

Answer 14

Is a valley-like depression, in the portion of the interdental gingiva that lies directly apical to the contact area of two adjacent (touching) teeth and connects the facial and lingual papillae.

Question 15

Gingival sulcus

Answer 15

The space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface.

Question 16

Gingival crevicular fluid

Answer 16

Fluid that seeps from the underlying connective tissue into the sulcular space.

Question 17

Sharpey fibers

Answer 17

Bundles of type one collagen fibres that connect periosteum to Bone.

They also attach bones to muscles and ligaments and tooth Aveolus.

Question 18

Alveolar process

Answer 18

It’s the part of the jaw that holds the teeth in their sockets.

Question 19

Alveolar bone proper

Answer 19

The portion of the bone of the alveolar process that surrounds teeth, and into which the collagen fibres of the periodontal ligament are embedded.

Question 20

Alveolus

Answer 20

The bony socket for the root of a tooth.

Question 21

Cortical bone

Answer 21

Is a layer of compact bone that forms the hard, outer wall of the mandible and maxillae on the facial and lingual aspects. This cortical bone surrounds the alveolar bone proper and give support to the socket.

Question 22

Alveolar crest

Answer 22

The coronal-most portion of the alveolar process.

Question 23

Cancellous bone

Answer 23

Is a lattice-like bone that fills the interior portion of the alveolar process (between the cortical bone and the alveolar bone proper.)

Question 24

Periosteum

Answer 24

A layer of connective, soft tissue covering the outer surface of bone. It consists of an outer layer of collagenous tissue, and an inner layer of fine elastic fibers.

Question 25

Innervation

Answer 25

Nerve supply to the periodontium.

Question 26

Trigeminal nerve

Answer 26

Each of the fifth and largest pair of cranial nerves, supplying the front part of the head and dividing into the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves.

Question 27

Anastomose

Answer 27

1) A natural communication, direct or indirect, between two blood vessels or other nonneural tubular structures.
2) An opening created by surgery, trauma, or disease between two or more normally separate spaces or organs.
[G. anastomōsis, from anastomoō, to furnish with a mouth]

Question 28

Lymphatic system

Answer 28

Is an open circulatory system for lymph fluid. The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and accessory organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and tonsils.

Question 29

Lymph nodes

Answer 29

Are small bean-shaped structures located on either side of the head, neck, armpits, and groin these nodes filter out and trap bacteria, fungi, viruses and other unwanted substances to safely eliminate them from the body.