Anatomical Structures of

the Teeth
Lobes – the separate divisions that
come together to form a tooth. Often
in the molars, the lobes become
cusps.
Mamelons – three bulges on the
incisal edge of the newly erupted
central incisor. Mamelons normally
disappear from normal wear.
Cusp – A pointed or rounded mound
on the crown of the tooth.
Cusp of Carabelli – A fifth cusp
located on the mesial lingual surface
of most maxillary first molars.
Developmental groove – A groove
formed by the uniting of lobes during
development of the crown of the
tooth,
Fissure – A developmental groove that has
an imperfect union where the lobes come
together.
Pit – The place where the grooves come
together or the fissures cross. Decay often
begins in the pit.
Fossa – A shallow rounded or angular
depression.
Cingulum – A convex area on the lingual
surface of the anterior teeth, near the
gingiva.
Buccal groove – A linear depression
forming a groove that extends from
the middle of the buccal surface to the
occlusal surface of the tooth.
Supplemental groove – Shallow,
linear groove that radiates from the
developmental groove. It often gives
the tooth surface a wrinkled look.
Apical foramen – An opening in the
end of the tooth through which nerve
and blood vessels enter. There may
be more than one opening at the end
of the root.
Furcation – The dividing point of a
multi-rooted tooth.
Bifurcated – When there are two roots
on one tooth, they are said to be
bifurcated, or branched in two.
Trifurcated – Where there are three
roots coming from the main trunk of
the tooth.
Ridge – A linear elevation of enamel found
on the tooth.
Marginal ridge – Elevated area of enamel
that forms the mesial and distal borders of
the lingual surface of the anterior teeth and
the mesial and distal borders of the
occlusal surface of the posterior teeth.
Oblique ridge – Elevated area of enamel
that extends obliquely across the occlusal
of the tooth.
Trifurcated ridge – The union of two
triangular ridges that produce a single
ridge of elevation across the occlusal
surface of the posterior tooth.
Triangular ridge – A ridge or an
elevation that descends from the cusp
and widens as it runs down to the
middle area of the occlusal surface.
Proximal contact area – the areas on
the surface of the teeth where the
proximal surfaces touch one another.
Interproximal spaces – triangular-
shaped spaces between the teeth
formed by the bone on one side and
the proximal surfaces and their
contact area on the other side.
Embrasure – spaces between the teeth
that are occlusal to the contact areas.
They allow for the passage of food around
the teeth so that food is not forced into the
contact area between the teeth.
Diastema – spaces between the teeth.
Primate spaces – spaces that occur in
primary dentition as the maxilla and
mandible grow which allows for the larger
permanent teeth to erupt.
Endentulous – without teeth or an
area without the presence of teeth.
Keywords
Lobe Apical foramen
Mamelon Furcation
Cusp Bifurcation
Cusp of Carabelli Trifurcation
Groove Ridge
Developmental groove Marginal ridge
Fissure Proximal Contact
Pit Primate spaces
Fossa Interproximal spaces
Cingulum Embrasure
Endentulous Diastema