Periodontal Ligament

The periodontal ligament is a layer of fibrous tissue arranged in groups of collagen fibres which support the root of a tooth by attaching the cementum to the alveolar bone. The fibres are mixed with blood vessels and nerves.

Periodontal ligament within a tooth

The fibres within the ligament can release and re-attach to the root to allow the tooth to move when it erupts, or to be repositioned when it is being moved by an orthodontic appliance.

Dental Anatomy

Alveolar Bone Apex Cementum Cusp Dentin Enamel Gum Periodontal Ligament Pulp Tooth

References

Naudin C., Grumbach N., Larousse Médical, 3ième édition, Paris, 2003.
Marcovitch H., Black's Medical Dictionary, 41st edition, London, 2005.
Leikin J. B., Lipsky M. S., Complete Medical Encyclopedia, First edition, New York, 2003.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).
Last update: 25th of November 2007.