Page 853 - My FlipBook

PULP-NODULES. 863

The Pulp-nodule may be found in any part of the pulp-ti.s.sue, but
occurs mostly in the coronal portion or near the junction of this with
the root portion. It is of irreg-
ular form, and in mo.st specimens Fig. 457.
it is irregularly nodulated, as if
made up of an aggi-egation of
smaller nodules. In Fig. 457 is
given a representation of one of
these magnified (the true size be-
ing represented at a), which gives
a good idea of the surface aj^pear-
ance of the mass. In respect to
the nodulation there is the great-
est variety, some specimens pre-
senting a very smooth outline.
These are usually the large ones,
but even Avith these the nodulated
surface is the rule. They are very
hard, and are composed of the
same material as the dentine, but A Small Pulp-nodule, as seen with a low power,
have not the same structure. In showing its nodulation : a represents the nat-
ural size (X 15;.
Fig. 458 I have represented this
as seen in section. The bodies made up of concentric rings are the cal-
cospherites. These rarely make up any very considerable portion of the
bulk of the nodule ; indeed,
I think they are as plenti- ^^^- ^^'^•
fully distributed in this sec-
tion as in any that I have cut.
The balance of the mass is
made up of calcific material
that shows no structure what-
ever, or may have some irreg-
ular lines or faults running
through it without any def-
inite arrangement. Usually,
this is very clear and trans-
parent, but a considerable
number of specimens are ir-
regularly clouded. These are
not calcifications of the tissue
of the pulp, but are formed in
the midst of the tissue, mak-
ing room for them.selves by Section of a Pulp-nodule showins; many calcospherites,
as pointed out by u, n.
pushing the ti.ssue aside, or,
possibly, they may be formed in varicose veins, as suggested above.
This distinction is important as dividing calcific degenerations of the
pulp-ti.ssue, in which the tissue itself is impregnated with lime salts,
from the pulp-nodule. Both forms are found in the form of irregular
bodies, and are not unfrequently a.ssociated in the same calcific deposit.
The nodules found in the root portion of the pulp arc usually smoother