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GLOSSAKY OF TECHNICAL TERMS AND PHRASES. 291
Fossffi occur mostly in the occlusal surfaces of the molarH, nud in the lingiiul surfaces
of the incisors.
Fungous. Pertaining to the fungi.
Fungus. (PI. Fungi.) The lowest order of plants. They are destitute of
chlorophyl and grow in the dark as well as in the light. Microorganisms belong to
this class.
Gelatinoid. Gelatin-like. Having the appearance of gelatin. Used in describ-
ing masses that have the general appearance of gelatin but which are not of the com-
position of true gelatin.
Gelatinoid plaques. Masses of microorganisms in zooglea form, or inclosed
in a gelatinoid substance and attached to the teeth. See Zobglea.
Germicide. Any agent that destroys germs, as microorganisms, plasmocites,
etc., or the virus of infectious diseases; as the boiling temperature, mercuric.
bichlorid, formalin, carbolic acid, etc. See note on antiseptic, disinfectant and
germicide under Antiseptic.
Gingiva. (Plural, Gingivae.) That portion of the gum tissue covering the
alveolar process, surrounding the borders of the enamel of the teeth next to the
cemeutum and filling the interproximal spaces. Gums, is often used as the synonym
of gingivae But gums includes the firm fibrous tissue covering the palatal processes,
while gingiva? is restricted to the gum tissue close about the teeth.
Note This word is very generally used in the form. is derived from the Latin
: plural It
Gigno, genui, genitinu, which was probably obtained from the Greek. In varying forms it seems to
have maintained a place in the Latin throughout its active use as a spoken language. A large number
of English words are derived from the various Latin forms. Latin dictionaries define the original
words thus: To beget; to bear; to bring forth; to produce. In the passive form; to be born;
to spring ; arise proceed, etc. " Quacumque animal parrient in capita gignunt.
; Pliny, 10, 64,
Bring forth their young head foremost.*' Harper's Latin-English Dictionary.
The word gingiva, or the plural gingiva, seems to have had a wide use, and had special refer-
ence to that portion of the gums which gave birth to. or produced, teeth ; or lay immediately
about them, as in this idiomatic expression, " Interdentum et gingivam. Celcus, 6, 13"; literally,
between the gums and the teeth ; but meaning in a close place. This is akin to " by the skin of his
teeth," sometimes heard in English.
The Standard Dictionary — Twentieth Century Edition — gives the plural form only and author-
izes the spelling gingiva instead of gingivae: The grmis gingival, of or pertaining to the gums.
;
Produced by aid of the gums ; as gingival sounds.
The American Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 1902, gives Ging^iva, Pi. Gingiva : The gums
the fleshy structure that covers the alveolar border of the jaw. Gingival, pertaining to the gura or
gums.
Gould's Medical Dictionary: '* Gingival. Pertaining to the giims. Gingival line. A blue or
purplish line along the gums where they meet the teeth, indicative of chronic lead poisoning. Also
a reddish line along the gums, sometimes seen in tuberculosis. Gingival margin. The line, or edge
of the gums where they meet the teeth ; the free edge of the gums."
Dorland'a Medical Dictionary gives the definition of gingivte: "That portion of the gum close
about the teeth."
In looking up examples of the use of the word in the Latin, it is found that the plural form
was used much more frequently than the singular, and this is true in English. It is the same in the
use of gum and gums.
In the French language, the word is gencieve, gum or gums.
Probably if we had an English adjective derived from the word gum, as gumal, we would not
have needed the Latin term, but as practically all of the adjectives ending in al, used in dental
nomenclature, are of Latin origin, such an adjective form of the old Saxon word, gum, would look
a bit out of place. An adjective is a necessity.
The word neck, and the Latin equivalent cervix, have had some use in dentistry' in which cervical
has been the adjective form. This word was used to represent a constriction or a supposed constric-
tion between the crown of the tooth and its root. As used, its meaning was much too vague to serve
the purposes of modern dentistry. Cervical is now practically obsolete, but the word neck is occa-
sionally used in a few phrases.
These notes have been written after the book proper was printed, and I find that the use of the
word is always with reference to that portion of the gum tissue close about the teeth. The word
gum is used as synonymous in many places. In a good many expressions it is preferred. Wherever
an adjective form is necessary, however, gingival is the only word used.
Gingival line is always used to represent the normal line of the attachment of the gum tissue
to the tooth, and the adjective gingival always refers to that line. This is at the junction of the
enamel and cementum. The adverb, gingivaliy, is always used when the reference is to the crown
of a tooth, a direction toward the gingival line. If it is used with reference to the root of a tooth,
it is also toward the gingival line.
I have generally, but not always, used " free margin of the gum," instead of free margin of the
gingiva, to represent that portion lapping onto the enamel of the teeth. Gum line, as used, means
the line of the extreme edge of the free margin of the gingiva that laps upon the enamel of the teeth.
The fact that a few authors and a few dictionaries have used " gingival line," to represent the
line of dark color on the gingiva; frequently present in lead poisoning, can cause no confusion in the
use of these words in dentistry. This can not be said to be in general use in medical literature.
GLOSSAKY OF TECHNICAL TERMS AND PHRASES. 291
Fossffi occur mostly in the occlusal surfaces of the molarH, nud in the lingiiul surfaces
of the incisors.
Fungous. Pertaining to the fungi.
Fungus. (PI. Fungi.) The lowest order of plants. They are destitute of
chlorophyl and grow in the dark as well as in the light. Microorganisms belong to
this class.
Gelatinoid. Gelatin-like. Having the appearance of gelatin. Used in describ-
ing masses that have the general appearance of gelatin but which are not of the com-
position of true gelatin.
Gelatinoid plaques. Masses of microorganisms in zooglea form, or inclosed
in a gelatinoid substance and attached to the teeth. See Zobglea.
Germicide. Any agent that destroys germs, as microorganisms, plasmocites,
etc., or the virus of infectious diseases; as the boiling temperature, mercuric.
bichlorid, formalin, carbolic acid, etc. See note on antiseptic, disinfectant and
germicide under Antiseptic.
Gingiva. (Plural, Gingivae.) That portion of the gum tissue covering the
alveolar process, surrounding the borders of the enamel of the teeth next to the
cemeutum and filling the interproximal spaces. Gums, is often used as the synonym
of gingivae But gums includes the firm fibrous tissue covering the palatal processes,
while gingiva? is restricted to the gum tissue close about the teeth.
Note This word is very generally used in the form. is derived from the Latin
: plural It
Gigno, genui, genitinu, which was probably obtained from the Greek. In varying forms it seems to
have maintained a place in the Latin throughout its active use as a spoken language. A large number
of English words are derived from the various Latin forms. Latin dictionaries define the original
words thus: To beget; to bear; to bring forth; to produce. In the passive form; to be born;
to spring ; arise proceed, etc. " Quacumque animal parrient in capita gignunt.
; Pliny, 10, 64,
Bring forth their young head foremost.*' Harper's Latin-English Dictionary.
The word gingiva, or the plural gingiva, seems to have had a wide use, and had special refer-
ence to that portion of the gums which gave birth to. or produced, teeth ; or lay immediately
about them, as in this idiomatic expression, " Interdentum et gingivam. Celcus, 6, 13"; literally,
between the gums and the teeth ; but meaning in a close place. This is akin to " by the skin of his
teeth," sometimes heard in English.
The Standard Dictionary — Twentieth Century Edition — gives the plural form only and author-
izes the spelling gingiva instead of gingivae: The grmis gingival, of or pertaining to the gums.
;
Produced by aid of the gums ; as gingival sounds.
The American Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 1902, gives Ging^iva, Pi. Gingiva : The gums
the fleshy structure that covers the alveolar border of the jaw. Gingival, pertaining to the gura or
gums.
Gould's Medical Dictionary: '* Gingival. Pertaining to the giims. Gingival line. A blue or
purplish line along the gums where they meet the teeth, indicative of chronic lead poisoning. Also
a reddish line along the gums, sometimes seen in tuberculosis. Gingival margin. The line, or edge
of the gums where they meet the teeth ; the free edge of the gums."
Dorland'a Medical Dictionary gives the definition of gingivte: "That portion of the gum close
about the teeth."
In looking up examples of the use of the word in the Latin, it is found that the plural form
was used much more frequently than the singular, and this is true in English. It is the same in the
use of gum and gums.
In the French language, the word is gencieve, gum or gums.
Probably if we had an English adjective derived from the word gum, as gumal, we would not
have needed the Latin term, but as practically all of the adjectives ending in al, used in dental
nomenclature, are of Latin origin, such an adjective form of the old Saxon word, gum, would look
a bit out of place. An adjective is a necessity.
The word neck, and the Latin equivalent cervix, have had some use in dentistry' in which cervical
has been the adjective form. This word was used to represent a constriction or a supposed constric-
tion between the crown of the tooth and its root. As used, its meaning was much too vague to serve
the purposes of modern dentistry. Cervical is now practically obsolete, but the word neck is occa-
sionally used in a few phrases.
These notes have been written after the book proper was printed, and I find that the use of the
word is always with reference to that portion of the gum tissue close about the teeth. The word
gum is used as synonymous in many places. In a good many expressions it is preferred. Wherever
an adjective form is necessary, however, gingival is the only word used.
Gingival line is always used to represent the normal line of the attachment of the gum tissue
to the tooth, and the adjective gingival always refers to that line. This is at the junction of the
enamel and cementum. The adverb, gingivaliy, is always used when the reference is to the crown
of a tooth, a direction toward the gingival line. If it is used with reference to the root of a tooth,
it is also toward the gingival line.
I have generally, but not always, used " free margin of the gum," instead of free margin of the
gingiva, to represent that portion lapping onto the enamel of the teeth. Gum line, as used, means
the line of the extreme edge of the free margin of the gingiva that laps upon the enamel of the teeth.
The fact that a few authors and a few dictionaries have used " gingival line," to represent the
line of dark color on the gingiva; frequently present in lead poisoning, can cause no confusion in the
use of these words in dentistry. This can not be said to be in general use in medical literature.
