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（ALP 3）双重染色法）检查人磨牙。主要研究结果如下：1.本文用光镜、扫描电镜和透射电镜证实了人牙髓中淋巴管的存在。结论：1. 5 '-Nase-Alpase双染法可用于研究人牙髓中淋巴管的微细分布和三维构筑.这种双重染色方法适用于冰冻切片和JB-4包埋切片，但脱钙后5 '-Nase活性消失.粗淋巴管主要分布于牙髓中心，细淋巴管分布于牙髓中心和周围，提示牙髓中的淋巴管来源广泛。成牙本质细胞层内未见淋巴管.三维重建显示淋巴管沿其长度方向沿着既有扩张又有收缩，其分支形态与血管不同.牙髓中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.