The apical foramen, commonly called apex, is the opening of the pulp at the end of a root. It is from this opening that nerves and blood vessels go inside the tooth to feed the pulp. The tissue beyond the apex is called periapical tissue.

apex

An infection in the pulp can spread through the apex and cause a periapical abscess. This condition is treated by taking antibiotics and then by conducting a root canal if the tooth is not overly destroyed.

Reference

  1. Naudin C., Grumbach N., Larousse Médical, 3ième édition, Paris, 2003.
  2. Marcovitch H., Black’s Medical Dictionary, 41st edition, London, 2005.
  3. Leikin J. B., Lipsky M. S., Complete Medical Encyclopedia, First edition, New York, 2003.
  4. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken before consulting a health care professional.

The masculine gender may have been more used in the article, but without prejudice, to make reading easier.

Category: dental anatomy