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128 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
Jaw, and has at first the shape of the bodies of the Teeth
which are to be formed from it. These pulpy substances are
very vascular, they adhere only at one part to the Jaw, viz. at
the bottom of the cavity which is to form the socket ; and at
that place their vessels enter ; so that they are prominent, and
somewhat loose in the bony cavity which lodges them.
They grow nearly as large as the body of the Tooth before the
ossification begins, and increase a little for some time after the
ossification is begun, (e) They are surrounded by a membrane, (/)
which is not connected with them, excepting at their root or
surface of adhesion. This membrane adheres by its outer sur-
face all around the bony cavity in the Jaw, and also to the gum
where it covers the Alveoli.
When the pulp is very young, as in the Foetus of six or seven
months, this membrane itself is pretty thick and gelatinous. We
can examine it best in a new-born child, and we find it made up of
two lamellce, an external and internal : the external is soft and
spongy, without any vessels ; the other is much firmer, and
extremely vascular, its vessels coming from those that are going
to the pulp of the Tooth : it makes a kind of Capsula for the
pulp and body of the Tooth. While the Tooth is within the
gum, there is always a mucilaginous fluid, like the Sinovia in
the joints, between this membrane and the pulp of the Tooth,
{g)
ye) [According to Robin and Magitot the successive phases in the
general evolution of the bulb are as follows :—1. A gradual increase of
size until the period when the summit becomes covered by the cap of
dentine. 2. Arrest at that time in general arrangement, but a continua-
tion of growth in height, while the crown is simultaneously increased in
width. 3. The coronary portion of the bulb ceases to grow larger, and
radicular prolongations are produced from the base.]
(J) [The follicular wall. Vide Note v., p. 337.]
(;/) [Hunter is mistaken in asserting that any portion of the follicular
wall is nonvascular. Robin and Magitot observe that it is not probable
that he refers to the enamel organ when he speaks of an internal lamella
"firmer and extremely vascular." His description of a mucilaginous
fluid like synovia between this membrane and the pulp of the tooth
evidently points to the enamel organ. Kolliker describes the enamel
organ as consisting of anastomosing stellate cells, or reticulated connective