Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Which zone of the pulp is characterized by a layer of odontoblasts?

1. Cell rich/free zone of Weil

2. Odontoblastic zone

3. Cell poor zone of Hohle

4. Central pulp

The correct answer is: Odontoblastic zone

The zone of the pulp that is characterized by a layer of odontoblasts is known as the odontoblastic zone. This zone is located closest to the dentin layer of the tooth, where the odontoblasts reside and are responsible for the formation of dentin during the development and maintenance of the tooth. These cells play a critical role in the tooth's health and response to stimuli, as they can also contribute to reparative processes. In the context of pulp structure, the odontoblastic zone is essential because it contains the specialized cells that produce dentin. This makes it distinct from other zones like the cell-rich and cell-poor zones, which contain various populations of cells but lack the distinctive presence of odontoblasts on the boundary with dentin. The central pulp, on the other hand, is a vascularized area composed primarily of loose connective tissue and does not specifically feature odontoblasts. Understanding the composition and function of each pulp zone helps clarify the overall structure and healing capacity of the dental pulp.