odontoblast

Introduction

One of the dentine-forming cells, derived from mesenchyme of neural crest origin. Odontoblasts line the pulp cavity of a tooth. The odontoblasts are arranged in a peripheral layer in the dental pulp, each with a cell process extending through the thickness of the dentine. Odontoblasts are generally columnar to cuboidal in shape.

Odontoblasts are capable of internal repair of the dentine.

More general terms

• cell

Additional terms

• dental pulp
• tooth dentine