Gingiva 908738 217311516 2008-06-05T14:11:37Z 75.51.88.206 /* Color */ misspelled words {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 242 | GrayPage = 1112 | Image = Tooth Section.svg | Caption = Cross-section of a tooth with visible gums, or gingiva | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = | MeshName = Gingiva | MeshNumber = A14.549.167.646.480 | DorlandsPre = g_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12390396 | }} The '''gingiva''' (sing. and [[English plural|plur.]]: ''gingiva''), or '''gums''', consists of the [[mucosal]] tissue that lies over the [[alveolar bone]]. ==General description== Gingiva are part of the soft tissue lining of the mouth. They surround the teeth and provide a seal around them. Compared with the soft tissue linings of the lips and cheeks, most of the gingiva are tightly bound to the underlying bone and are designed to resist the friction of food passing over them. Healthy gingiva is usually coral pink, but may contain physiologic pigmentation. Changes in color, particularly increased redness, together with [[edema]] and an increased tendency to bleed, suggest an [[inflammation]] that is possibly due to the accumulation of [[dental plaque|bacterial plaque]]. [[Image:The Periodontium.jpg|280px|thumb|right|A diagram of the periodontium. A, [[Crown (tooth)|crown]] of the [[tooth]], covered by [[enamel]]. B, root of the tooth, covered by [[cementum]]. C, [[alveolar bone]]. D, subepithelial [[connective tissue]]. E, [[oral epithelium]]. F, [[free gingival margin]]. G, gingival sulcus. H, [[gingival fibers|principle gingival fibers]]. I, alveolar crest fibers of the [[periodontal ligament|PDL]]. J, horizontal fibers of the PDL. K, oblique fibers of the PDL.]] ==Subdivisions of gingiva== The gingiva is divided anatomically into marginal, attached and interdental areas. ===Marginal gingiva=== The marginal gingiva is the terminal edge of gingiva surrounding the teeth in collar like fashion. In about 50% of individuals, it is demarcated from the adjacent, attached gingiva by a shallow linear depression, the free gingival groove. Usually about 1 mm wide, it forms the soft tissue wall of the [[gingival sulcus]]. The marginal gingiva is supported and stabilized by the [[gingival fibers]]. ===Attached gingiva=== The attached gingiva is continuous with the marginal gingiva. It is firm, resilient, and tightly bound to the underlying periosteum of alveolar bone. The facial aspect of the attached gingiva extends to the relatively loose and movable alveolar mucosa, from which it is demarcated by the [[mucogingival junction]]. Attached gingiva may present with [[stippling (dentistry)|surface stippling]]. ===Interdental gingiva=== The interdental gingiva occupies the gingival [[embrasure (dental)|embrasure]], which is the interproximal space beneath the area of tooth contact. The interdental gingiva can be pyramidal or have a "[[col]]" shape. ==Diseases of the gingiva== The gingival cavity [[microecosystem]], fueled by food residues and saliva, can support the growth of many microorganisms, of which some can be injurious to health. Improper or insufficient [[oral hygiene]] can thus lead to many gingival and periodontal disorders, including [[gingivitis]] or [[periodontal disease|pyorrhea]], which are major causes for tooth failure. Recent studies have also shown that [[Anabolic steroid]]s are also closely associated with [[Gingival hyperplasia|gingival enlargement]] requiring a gingivectomy for many cases.[http://www.steroid.com/sitenews/?EC=ReadArticle&ArticleID=373] ==Characteristics of healthy gingiva== ===Color=== Healthy gingiva usually has a color that has been described as "coral pink." Other colours like red, white, and blue can signify inflammation ([[gingivitis]]) or pathology. Although the text book color of gingiva is "coral pink", normal racial pigmentation makes the gingiva appear darker. Because the color of gingiva varies due to racial pigmentation, uniformity of color is more important than the underlying color itself. ===Contour=== Healthy gingiva has a smooth [[arcuate]] or scalloped appearance around each tooth. Healthy gingiva fills and fits each interdental space, unlike the swollen gingiva papilla seen in gingivitis or the empty interdental [[embrasure (dental)|embrasure]] seen in periodontal disease. Healthy gums hold tight to each tooth in that the gingival surface narrows to "knife-edge" thin at the [[free gingival margin]]. On the other hand, inflamed gums have a "puffy" or "rolled" margin. ===Texture=== Healthy gingiva has a firm texture that is resistant to movement, and the surface texture often exhibits [[stippling (dentistry)|surface stippling]]. Unhealthy gingiva, on the other hand, is often swollen and mushy. ===Reaction to disturbance=== Healthy gums usually have no reaction to normal disturbance such as brushing or periodontal probing. Unhealthy gums on the other hand will show [[bleeding on probing]] ([[BOP]]) and/or [[purulent exudate]] ([[pus]]). ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Illu mouth.jpg|Mouth (oral cavity) Image:Illu03 mouth.jpg|Mouth </gallery> ==See also== *[[Head and neck anatomy]] *[[Periodontitis]] *[[Gum graft]] ==Sources== *Willmann, Donald. PERI 5081 - Freshman Periodontics. UTHSCSA, 2006. 2.3.1 {{Refimprove|date=December 2007}} ==External links== *[http://www.austindental.com/more/gum.shtml Periodontal disease] {{Periodontology}} [[Category:Dentistry subjects]] [[Category:Mouth]] [[Category:Periodontology]] [[ar:لثة]] [[zh-min-nan:Khí-hoāⁿ]] [[bg:Зъбен венец]] [[ca:Geniva]] [[cs:Dáseň]] [[de:Zahnfleisch]] [[dv:ހިރުގަނޑު]] [[es:Encía]] [[eo:Gingivo]] [[fr:Gencive]] [[ko:잇몸]] [[id:Gusi]] [[it:Gengiva]] [[pam:Gilagid]] [[hu:Fogíny]] [[nl:Tandvlees]] [[ja:歯肉]] [[pag:Ngares]] [[nds:Gagel]] [[pl:Dziąsło]] [[pt:Gengiva]] [[scn:Zinzìa]] [[sk:Ďasno]] [[sr:Десни]] [[fi:Ien]] [[sv:Tandkött]] [[tl:Gilagid]] [[zh:牙齦]]