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Medical Dictionary

dentin

Pronunciation (den′tin)
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  1. The ivory forming the mass of the tooth. About 20% is organic matrix, mostly type I collagen, with some elastin and a small amount of mucopolysaccharide; the inorganic fraction (70%) is mainly hydroxyapatite, with some carbonate, magnesium, and fluoride. The dentin is traversed by a large number of fine tunnels known as tubules, running from the pulp cavity outward; within the tubules are processes from the odontoblasts.

Syn: dentinum, ebur dentis, substantia eburnea

[L. dens, tooth]

WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"

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