The Blood Capillaries in the Subodontoblastic Region of the Human Dental Pulp, as Demonstrated by Freeze-Fracturing

Abstract

The microvasculature of the subodontoblastic region in the human dental pulp was studied, using freeze-fracturing. This technique allows an analysis of the fine structure of the vascular endothelium with special reference to the membrane structure. The blood capillaries were noted to be of the non-fenestrated or continuous type, although a few fenestrated vessels were observed. The endothelial plasmalemma often exhibited bundles of fibrillar structures, presumably myofilaments. There was a relatively large number of micropinocytotic vesicles and the interendothelial spaces were closed juxtaluminally by tight junctions (zonulae occludentes). The junctions appeared mostly as two to four strands, seen as ridges or grooves on the cell membrane. Thin-walled, irregular, tissue channels lacking the typical, blood-vessel configuration were disclosed. These vessels were believed to represent lymphatics.