Quick Facts
The granular layer is a layer of imperfectly calcified dentin made of small interglobular spaces immediately beneath the dentinocemental junction in the root of a tooth (Dorland, 2011)
Structure and/or Key Feature(s)
The granular layer of dentin is thought to arise due to the looping of the terminal portions of distal tubules, which results from the different orientation of odontoblastic processes (Chiego, 2014).
Anatomical Relations
Underlying the cement that covers the root, a thin granular- appearing layer of dentin exists known as the granular layer or the granular layer of Tomes. This layer lies subjacent to the hyaline layer of Hopewell-Smith. It travels from the cementoenamel junction down to the root apex and increases slightly in width as it does so.
References
Chiego, D. J. (2014) Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology - E-Book: A Clinical Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
