Periodontal Ligament Flashcards
What is periodontal ligament
Organised regular connective tissue that attaches tooth to jaw and transmits biting forces to alveolar bone
What does periodontal ligament contain
Cells Extracellular matrix Fibres Nerves Blood vessels
What does the matrix of periodontal ligament contain
Hyaluronate glycosamioglycans
Proteoglycans
Glycoproteins
(It behaves as a viscous elastic gel)
What cells are found in periodontal ligament
Fibroblasts Cementoblasts Osteoclasts Cementoclasts Epithelial cells - cell rests of Malassez Defence cells
What nerves are found in periodontal ligament
Sensory - mechanoreceptors and nociceptors
Autonomic (sympathetic) - blood vessel control and vasoconstriction
What fibres are found in periodontal ligament
True periodontal ligament and gingival ligament
What is true periodontal ligament
Fibres connecting tooth to alveolar bone
What is gingival ligament
Fibres mainly above the alveolar crest, including free gingival fibres
What are the principle fibre groups
Alveolo-dental ligament
Interdental ligament
What fibres are found in alveolo-dental ligament
Alveolar crest Horizontal Oblique Apical Inter-radicular (multi-rooted teeth)
What fibres are found in interdental ligament
Trans-septal fibres
What is the function of oblique periodontal ligament fibres
Resists biting force
Relative to the tooth and bone, in which direction do the periodontal ligament fibres run
From the bone to insert more apical into the cementum
