Enzyme-histochemical and three-dimensional reconstruction study of lymphatic vessels in the dental pulp.

为了阐明牙髓中淋巴管的分布和三维结构，使用酶组织化学方法(Kato, 1989; 5'-核苷酸酶（5'-Nase) -碱性磷酸酶（ALPase）双染色法）对人类磨牙进行了检查。研究结果总结如下：1。光镜下、扫描电镜下、透射电镜下证实了人牙髓中存在淋巴管。5′-Nase-Alpase双染色法可用于研究人牙髓中淋巴管的精细分布和三维结构。该方法适用于冷冻切片和JB-4包埋切片，但脱钙后5′-Nase活性消失。粗的淋巴管主要分布在牙髓中心，细的淋巴管分布在牙髓中心和周围，说明牙髓内的淋巴管起源于广泛的牙髓区域。然而，在成牙层未观察到淋巴管。三维重建显示淋巴管沿其长度既扩张又收缩，淋巴管分支形态与血管分支形态不同。牙髓内淋巴管的数量和分布有很大的个体差异。

To clarify the distribution and three-dimensional architecture of the lymphatic vessels in the dental pulp, human molar teeth were examined using an enzyme-histochemical method (Kato, 1989 ; 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) -Alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) double staining method). The results are summarized as follows :1. Existence of lymphatic vessels in the human dental pulp was confirmed under light microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The 5'-Nase-Alpase double staining method is useful for studying the fine distribution and three-dimensional architecture of the lymphatic vessels in the human dental pulp.2. This double staining method was applicable for both frozen sections and JB-4 embedded sections, however, 5'-Nase activity disappeared after decalcification.3. Thick lymphatic vessels were located mainly in the center of the pulp and thin vessels were found both in the center and periphery of the pulp, which means that the lymphatics in the dental pulp originated from wide areas of the pulp. However, lymphatic vessels were not observed in the odontoblast layr.4. Three-dimensional reconstruction study revealed that the lymphatic vessels exhibit both dilations and constrictions along their length, and showed that the ramification patterns of the lymphatics were different from those of the blood vessels.5. The number and distribution of the lymphatic vessels in the dental pulp showed considerable individual variations.