Multiple developmental origin of the upper incisor in mouse: histological and computer assisted 3-D-reconstruction studies

• Published in: The International journal of developmental biology Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 581 - 588
• Main Authors: PETERKOVA, R, PETERKA, M, VONESCH, J.-L, RUCH, J. V
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bilbao University of the Basque Country Press 01.12.1993
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Dental Enamel - anatomy & histology; Dental Enamel - embryology; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Epithelium - anatomy & histology; Epithelium - embryology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Incisor - anatomy & histology; Incisor - embryology; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Organogenesis. Fetal development; Organogenesis. Physiological fonctions; Origin; Embryonic development; Vertebrata; Embryo; Mammalia; Maxillary pulp; Mouse; Rodentia; Incisor tooth; Tooth; Epithelium
• ISSN: 0214-6282; 1696-3547

Heads of 11-15-day-old mouse embryos were cut in frontal serial sections. Early development of the maxillary incisor was analyzed using series of thick (5 and 7 microns) and semi-thin (1 micron) frontal sections and computer assisted 3-D-reconstructions of the epithelial component. The enamel organ of the mouse maxillary incisor was found to be a complex structure of multiple origin, involving several epithelial anlagen--primary dental laminae--, which could hypothetically correspond to the 5 upper incisors of early mammals. The transitory existence of at once distinct and then fusing dental primordia could reflect heterochronic changes in ontogeny which might be related to phyletic trends.