Enamel Morphology

Question 1

describe enamel

7

Answer 1

hardest tissue in the body
resists abrasion
brittle
supported by dentine
covers the whole crown
varies in thickness
transluscent

Question 2

describe how enamel regions vary in hardness

2

Answer 2

surface enamel more mineralised and harder
hardness decreases from cusps/tips to cervix

Question 3

describe the appearance of enamel rods

3

Answer 3

rods run from ADJ to surface
rods contain hydroxyapatite crystallites
crystallites are deposited at right angles to ameloblast membranes