Pulp Flashcards

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1
Q

What is dental pulp

A
  • The specialized soft connective tissue of the tooth

* Occupies the pulp chamber and root canal(s)

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2
Q

What is the role of the dental pulp

A
  • Active throughout life and maintains health of dentine through odontoblast layer
  • Functionally and structurally associated to dentine
  • Provides sensation (nerve endings) and blood supply (nutrients and immune cells)
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3
Q

What is the coronal pulp

A

occupies the crown of the tooth and has six surfaces; occlusal, mesial, distal, buccal, lingual and the floor.

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4
Q

What is the radicular pulp

A

extends from the cervix down to the apex of the tooth. Molars and premolars exhibit multiple radicular pulps. This pulp is tapered and conical

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5
Q

Where can odontoblasts be found in the dentin

A

right next to the pulp, innermost section of the dentin layer

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6
Q

What do the fibroblasts in the pulp do

A

Demonstrates the ability to degrade collagen as well as form it

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7
Q

What is the role of perivascular cells in the pulp

A

Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, they’re present in the pulp and can give rise to odontoblasts, fibroblasts or macrophages

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8
Q

What is the zone of weil in the pulp

A

Its a cell-free zone that consists of nerves and capillary plexuses

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9
Q

What are the microscopic zones of the pulp

A

Odontoblastic layer
Cell-free zone
Cell-rich zone (more cells and vascularity)
Pulpal core (more cells and vascularity)

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10
Q

What is the role of odontoblasts in the pulp

A

Contributes to the protection of the pulp

BTW - the processes of odontoblasts still extend into the dentin tubules from the pulp

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11
Q

What are some inflammatory cells in the pulp

A

T lymphocytes
Macrophages
Dendritic antigen presenting cells

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12
Q

Where are macrophages found in the pulp

A

Found predominantly around central blood vessels and

adjacent to odontoblast layer

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13
Q

Where are dendritic antigen presenting cells found in the dentin

A

Similar distribution to macrophages, but also may be found between odontoblasts and dentine

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14
Q

What is the bottom point of the roots where the pulp enters through called

A

the apical foramen

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15
Q

Describe how the vascular supply ascends to the pulp

A
  • small arterioles enter the pulp via the apical foramen
  • ascend through the radicular pulp of the root canal
  • branch out peripherally to form a dense capillary network immediately under and sometimes extending up into the odontoblast layer
  • Small venules drain the capillary bed and eventually leave as veins via the apical foramen.
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16
Q

Why are pulpal vessel walls allowed to be very thin

A

As the pulp is protected by a hard unyielding sheath of dentin.

17
Q

Why do the capillaries in the pulp exhibit numerous pores

A

the high metabolic activity of the odontoblast layer

18
Q

Is blood flow/pressure quite high or low in the pulp

A

Quite high

19
Q

What are arteriolar-venous anastomoses

A

Points that are frequent in the pulp where the arteries and vein vessels connect and overlap

20
Q

What autonomic fibres are found in the pulp

A

Only sympathetic fibres

21
Q

Describe the features of the sympathetic fibres, include where they originate

A
  • fibres extend from the neurons whose cell bodies are found in the superior cervical ganglion at the base of the skull
  • They are unmyelinated fibres
  • Travel with the blood vessels.
22
Q

What do the sympathetic fibres in the pulp do

A

They innervate the smooth muscle cells of the arterioles and therefore function in regulation of blood flow in the capillary

23
Q

What afferent (sensory) fibres are found in the pulp and where do they terminate

A
  • maxillary and mandibular branches of the fifth cranial nerve
  • terminate in the central pulp
24
Q

What is the subodontoblastic plexus

A

Small individual fibres from the afferent fibres that form this plexus just under the odontoblast layer, these terminate as free nerve endings near the odontoblasts.

25
Q

Where is the subodontoblastic plexus mainly found

A

The subodontoblastic plexus is primarily located in the roof and lateral walls of the coronal pulp. It is less developed in the root canals.

26
Q

What are the functions of the dental pulp

A

A living pulp is required to maintain dentine integrity and tooth sensitivity

  • The primary function is providing vitality to the tooth.
  • inductive
  • protective
27
Q

What is the inductive function of the pulp

A

very early in development the future pulp interacts with surrounding tissues and initiates tooth formation.

28
Q

Describe the protective function of the pulp

A

pulp responds to stimuli like heat, cold, pressure, operative cutting procedures of the dentin, caries, formation of sclerotic and reactive dentin

29
Q

What does inflammation of the pulp due to caries cause

A

high fluid content and swelling: compression of nerve fibres on the walls of the pulp cavity and pain

30
Q

What happens to the pulp with age

A

• less cellular
• more fibrous
• overall reduction in volume due to the continued
deposition of dentin (secondary/reactive)