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Peritubular vs Intertubular Dentine — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePhysiologyPeritubular vs Intertubular DentineMFDS Part 1

A ground section of mature dentine shows a dense annular zone immediately surrounding each dentinal tubule. Compared with intertubular dentine, this zone:

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Correct answer: D — Has a higher mineral-to-matrix ratio and forms the tubule wall

The annular zone is peritubular dentine, which forms a highly mineralised cuff around each dentinal tubule and has a higher mineral-to-matrix ratio than intertubular dentine. Intertubular dentine occupies the space between tubules, forms most of the dentinal matrix and is relatively collagen-rich, so B and C describe intertubular rather than peritubular dentine. Peritubular dentine is present in coronal dentine and is not confined to the root, excluding D. Dentine is produced by odontoblasts; pulpal fibroblasts maintain the pulpal connective-tissue matrix rather than forming normal dentine, excluding E. Continued peritubular deposition can narrow the tubule lumen in dentinal sclerosis.

Reference: Bertassoni LE, Stankoska K, Swain MV. Insights into the structure and composition of the peritubular dentin organic matrix and the lamina limitans. Micron. 2012;43(2–3):229–236. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21890367/