Module 3 Key Terms: Dental Anatomy Flashcards
Alveolar Socket
Cavity within the alveolar process that surrounds the root of a tooth.
Anatomic Crown
Portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel
Apex
Tapered end of each root tip
Apical Foramen
Natural opening in the root.
Cementum
Specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the anatomic root of a tooth.
Clinical Crown
That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity
Dental Papilla
Gingivae between the teeth.
Dental Sac
Connective tissue that envelops the developing tooth
Dentin
Hard portion of the tooth that surrounds the pulp and is covered by enamel on the crown and by cementum on the root.
Dentinal Fiber
Fibers found in dentinal tubules
Dentinal Tubules
microscopic canals found in dentin.
Deposition
The process by which the body adds new bone.
Enamel
makes up the anatomic crown of the tooth, is the hardest material in the body.
Eruption
Movement of a tooth into its functional position in the oral cavity.
Exfoliation
The normal process of shedding the primary teeth.
Hydroxyapatite
Mineral compound that is the principal inorganic component of bone and teeth
Lamina Dura
Thin, compact bone that lines the alveolar socket.
Lining Mucosa
Mucous membrane that covers the inside of the cheeks, vestibule, lips, soft palate, and underside of the tongue and acts as a cushion for underlying structures.
Mandibular Arch
The lower jaw
Masticatory Mucosa
Oral mucosa that covers the hard palate, dorsum of the tongue, and gingiva.
Periodontium
Structures that surround, support, and are attached to the teeth.
Primary Dentin
Dentin that forms before eruption and that makes up the bulk of the tooth
Resorption
The body’s processes of eliminating existing bone or hard tissue structure.
Succedaneous Teeth
Permanent teeth that replace primary teeth.
Alveolar Process
Portion of the maxillary bones that form the support for teeth of the maxillary arch.
Articular Disc
Cushion of dense, specialized connective tissue that divides the articular space into upper and lower compartments; also known as the meniscus.
Articular Eminence
Raised portion of the temporal bone just anterior to the glenoid fossa.
Buccal
(BUK-ul)
Region of the head that refers to structures closest to the inner cheek
Condyloid Process
The posterior process of each ramus; articulates with a fossa in the temporal bones to form the temporomandibular joint; also known as the mandibular condyle.
Foramen
A small round opening in a bone through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass; plural, foramina
Fossa
Wide, shallow depression on the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth
Glenoid Fossa
Area of the temporal bone where condyles of the mandible articulate with the skull.
Maxillary Tuberosity
Large, rounded area on the outer surface of the maxillary bones in the area of the posterior teeth.
Mental
Region of the head pertaining to or located near the chin
Nasal
Region of the head that pertains to or is located near the nose
Oral
Region of the head pertaining to or located near the mouth.
Orbital
Region of the head pertaining to or located around the eye.
Process
A prominence or projection on a bone
Temporal
Region of the head superior to the zygomatic arch.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
(tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-yoo-lur)
Joint on each side of head that allows movement of the maMucogingival junctionndible.
Trigeminal Nerve
The nerve that is the primary source of innervation for the oral cavity.
Zygomatic
Region of the head pertaining to or located near the zygomatic bone (cheekbone)