Читать книгу Feline Dentistry - Jan Bellows - Страница 44

The pulp, located in the center of the tooth, is composed of connective tissue, nerves, lymph and blood vessels, collagen, and odontoblasts which form dentin throughout the tooth's life. The pulp cavity consists of a pulp chamber located in the crown and a root canal in the root. In kittens, the root apex formation is not complete, and the apex is open. As cats age, closure of the apex occurs through the activity of the root sheath, and pulpal volume decreases due to formation of dentin by the odontoblasts. The latter process continues throughout life. In a fully mature tooth, an apical delta containing minute openings allowing the passage of vessels and nerves is present at the root apex (Figures 1.34 and 1.35).

Figure 1.34 Enamel, dentin, and pulp exposed in an acutely fractured canine tooth.

Figure 1.35 Canine tooth and surrounding structures.