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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of junctional epithelium?
What is the primary function of junctional epithelium?
- Sensory perception
- Adhesion to connective tissue (correct)
- Mechanical stability
- Nutrient absorption
Which component directly attaches the epithelial cells to the basal lamina?
Which component directly attaches the epithelial cells to the basal lamina?
- Adherens junctions
- Hemidesmosomes (correct)
- Desmosomes
- Tight junctions
What term describes the thin layer of extracellular matrix between epithelial cells and tooth surface?
What term describes the thin layer of extracellular matrix between epithelial cells and tooth surface?
- Cementum
- Gingival connective tissue
- Basal lamina (correct)
- Gingival crevicular fluid
What type of epithelial connections enhances the structural integrity among neighboring epithelial cells?
What type of epithelial connections enhances the structural integrity among neighboring epithelial cells?
Which layer connects epithelial cells to the gingival connective tissue?
Which layer connects epithelial cells to the gingival connective tissue?
What is a characteristic of keratinized epithelium compared to non-keratinized epithelium?
What is a characteristic of keratinized epithelium compared to non-keratinized epithelium?
What fluid is primarily found in the gingival sulcus and is involved in host defense?
What fluid is primarily found in the gingival sulcus and is involved in host defense?
Which cell junction is responsible for the connection of epithelial cells to the tooth surface?
Which cell junction is responsible for the connection of epithelial cells to the tooth surface?
What is the primary characteristic of the junctional epithelium in terms of its structure?
What is the primary characteristic of the junctional epithelium in terms of its structure?
Which type of epithelium covers the outer surface of the free gingiva?
Which type of epithelium covers the outer surface of the free gingiva?
What is the role of the granular cell layer in the oral epithelium?
What is the role of the granular cell layer in the oral epithelium?
Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is primarily derived from which structure?
Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is primarily derived from which structure?
What distinguishes keratinized oral epithelium from non-keratinized epithelium in the gingiva?
What distinguishes keratinized oral epithelium from non-keratinized epithelium in the gingiva?
Which layer of the oral epithelium contains spine-like cells with large intercellular spaces?
Which layer of the oral epithelium contains spine-like cells with large intercellular spaces?
The sulcular epithelium is primarily characterized by what type of cellular structure?
The sulcular epithelium is primarily characterized by what type of cellular structure?
What is the function of the basel cell layer in the oral epithelium?
What is the function of the basel cell layer in the oral epithelium?
What is the primary function of the junctional epithelium in relation to teeth?
What is the primary function of the junctional epithelium in relation to teeth?
Which characteristic differentiates non-keratinized epithelium from keratinized epithelium?
Which characteristic differentiates non-keratinized epithelium from keratinized epithelium?
What role does gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) play in oral health?
What role does gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) play in oral health?
How thick is the junctional epithelium at its coronal end?
How thick is the junctional epithelium at its coronal end?
Which layer of epithelium faces the tooth surface but is not in direct contact with it?
Which layer of epithelium faces the tooth surface but is not in direct contact with it?
What is a key feature of the sulcular epithelium in healthy conditions?
What is a key feature of the sulcular epithelium in healthy conditions?
What is the approximate length range of junctional epithelium?
What is the approximate length range of junctional epithelium?
Which layer is characterized by having high cell turnover?
Which layer is characterized by having high cell turnover?
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Study Notes
###Â Stratum Corneum
- Characterized by flattened cells with increased intracellular keratin
- Joins underlying connective tissue in a wavy pattern
Sulcular Epithelium
- Faces the tooth surface without direct contact
- Thin and non-keratinized
- Lacks rete pegs
- Semi-permeable, allowing fluid to flow from the gingival connective tissue into the sulcus
- This fluid is known as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)
- In a healthy state, joins the connective tissue with a smooth interface, lacking epithelial ridges
Junc?onal Epithelium
- Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
- Connects the gingiva to the tooth surface
- Measures 0.71 – 1.35mm in length
- Cell thickness varies:
- 15-30 cells coronally
- 4-5 cells thick at the apical zone
- High cell turnover
Cell Layers of Oral Epithelium:
- Basal cell layer: Cube-shaped cells
- Prickle cell layer: Spine-like cells with large intercellular spaces, connected by desmosomes
- Granular cell layer: Flattened cells with increased intracellular keratin
- Superficial cell layer: Outermost layer, sheds regularly
Oral Epithelium
- Covers the outer surface of the free and attached gingiva, from the gingival margin to the mucogingival junction
- Visible to the naked eye
- Composed of stratified squamous epithelium
- Layers:
- Basal cell layer (deepest): Cube-shaped cells
- Prickle cell layer: Spine-like cells, connected by desmosomes
- Granular cell layer: Flattened cells with increased intracellular keratin
- Superficial cell layer (outermost): Shedding cells
Microscopic Anatomy of Junc?onal Epithelium
- Closely packed epithelial cells interconnected by desmosomes
- Internal Basal Lamina: Thin layer of extracellular matrix separating epithelial cells from the tooth surface
- External Basal Lamina: Thin layer of extracellular matrix separating epithelial cells from the gingival connective tissue
Attachments of Junc?onal Epithelium
- To tooth surface:
- Hemidesmosomes (cell junctions)
- Internal basal lamina
- More hemidesmosomes are present coronally (8-10 per micron) than apically (2 per micron)
- To connective tissue:
- Hemidesmosomes
- External basal lamina
Cell Junctions
- Desmosome: Cell junction connecting two adjacent epithelial cells and their cytoskeletons
- Hemidesmosome: Connects epithelial cells to the basal lamina
Functions of Junc?onal Epithelium
- Attachment: Providing a seal between the tooth and the gingiva
- Barrier: Protecting the underlying tissues from harmful substances
- Host defense: Contributing to immune responses
Gingival Connective Tissue
- Provides solidity to the gingiva
- Lamina propria: Connects the gingiva to the cementum and alveolar bone
- Also called the gingival connective tissue
- Composed of cells, fibers, and ground substance
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