I. Lambrichts et al., PERIODONTAL NEURAL ENDINGS INTIMATELY RELATE TO EPITHELIAL RESTS OF MALASSEZ IN HUMANS - A LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE STUDY, Journal of Anatomy, 182, 1993, pp. 153-162
The periodontal ligament was examined by light microscopy at 3 differe
nt levels (apical, intermediate, coronal) on the 4 root sides of 43 ex
tracted teeth. Epithelial rests were localised and serial LM and EM se
ctions showed a close apposition (up to 0.03 mum) between Ruffini-like
and free nerve endings and the basal lamina of the epithelial cell re
sts. The neural structures were facing the epithelial cells, whereas t
he Schwann cells were oriented towards the outer connective tissue. Th
e Ruffini-like corpuscles contained numerous mitochondria. Free nerve
endings contained neurotubules, neurofilaments and some vesicles. The
intimate association between both neuroectodermal structures could ind
icate a target function of epithelial cell rests during developmental
periodontal ligament innervation. Recent immunohistological findings i
nvolving nerve growth factor receptors substantiate this hypothesis.