Tomes' process
Encyclopedia
Tomes' processes are a histologic
landmark identified on an ameloblast
, cells involved in the production of tooth enamel
. During the synthesis of enamel, the ameloblast moves away from the enamel
, forming a projection surrounded by the developing enamel. Tomes' processes are those projections and give the ameloblast a "picket-fence" appearance under a microscope
.
They are located on the secretory, basal, end of the ameloblast.
Terminal bar apparatus connects the Tomes Processes. Tonofilaments separate the developing enamel from the enamel organ. Gap junctions synchronise cell activation.
The body of the cell between the processes first deposits enamel, which will become the periphery of the enamel prisms,then the tomes process will infill the main body of the enamel prism. More than one ameloblast contributes to a single prism.
Tomes' processes are distinctly different from Tomes' fibers, which are odontoblastic processes that occupy dentinal tubules.
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
landmark identified on an ameloblast
Ameloblast
Ameloblasts are cells, present only during tooth development, that deposit tooth enamel, the hard outermost layer of the tooth that forms the chewing surface....
, cells involved in the production of tooth enamel
Tooth enamel
Tooth enamel, along with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in vertebrates. It is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in the human body. Tooth enamel is also found in the dermal denticles of sharks...
. During the synthesis of enamel, the ameloblast moves away from the enamel
Tooth enamel
Tooth enamel, along with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in vertebrates. It is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in the human body. Tooth enamel is also found in the dermal denticles of sharks...
, forming a projection surrounded by the developing enamel. Tomes' processes are those projections and give the ameloblast a "picket-fence" appearance under a microscope
Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
.
They are located on the secretory, basal, end of the ameloblast.
Terminal bar apparatus connects the Tomes Processes. Tonofilaments separate the developing enamel from the enamel organ. Gap junctions synchronise cell activation.
The body of the cell between the processes first deposits enamel, which will become the periphery of the enamel prisms,then the tomes process will infill the main body of the enamel prism. More than one ameloblast contributes to a single prism.
Tomes' processes are distinctly different from Tomes' fibers, which are odontoblastic processes that occupy dentinal tubules.