Enamel organ
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116818180
2007-03-21T17:16:22Z
DRosenbach
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this is a start
[[image:Enamelorgan11-17-05.jpg|right|250px]]
The '''enamel organ''', also known as '''dental organ''', is a [[cell (biology)|cellular]] aggregation seen in [[histology|histologic]] sections of a developing [[tooth]]. It lies above a condensation of ectomesenchymal cells called the [[dental papilla]]. Historically, enamel organ has been the term to describe this structure, but it was attempted unsuccessfully in recent years to change the name to dental organ in order to better represent its multiple functions apart from [[tooth enamel|enamel]] formation.
The enamel organ functions in the formation of enamel, initiation of [[dentin]] formation, establishment of the shape of a tooth's crown, and establishment of the [[dentogingival junction]].
The parts of the enamel organ include the [[inner enamel epithelium]], [[outer enamel epithelium]], and the [[stellate reticulum]].
==See also==
*[[Tooth enamel]]
*[[Ameloblast]]
*[[Tooth]]
*[[Tooth development]]
==References==
*Cate, A.R. Ten. Oral Histology: development, structure, and function. 5th ed. 1998. ISBN 0-8151-2952-1.
*Ross, Michael H., Gordon I. Kaye, and Wojciech Pawlina. Histology: a text and atlas. 4th edition. 2003. ISBN 0-683-30242-6.
[[Category:Teeth]]