Figure 4: Cellular cementum with cementocyte lacunae (arrow). These are the lacunae of the former cementocytes, collagen-producing cells that become entrapped in the extracellular matrix they excrete during cementogenesis. The canaliculi of cementocytes communicate but are not part of an inter-connected network that extends all the way to the surface, as is the case for bone. Nourishment is believed to occur by diffusion and the deeper cementocytes may not be vital. Most of the canaliculi point toward the tooth surface (Nanci 2003). The black asterisk marks the cementum surface and the white the granular layer of Tomes at the cemento-dentinal junction.
Figure 4

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