Figure 14. Cortical bone The cortical bone is comprised of functional units called osteons that consist of concentric lamellae and canaliculi surrounding a central Haversian canal.

Figure 13. Cortical plate   The cortical plates of the supporting bone are continuous with the alveolar bone proper lining the tooth sockets. The cortical plates are thicker in the mandible than in the maxilla, and they are thickest in the molar and premolar regions of the mandible.

Figure 11. Attachment apparatus As shown in this histologic section, bundle bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum form an anatomic unit. When a tooth is extracted, the cementum and much of the periodontal ligament are removed. The bundle bone resorbs after tooth extraction.

Figure 9. Lamina dura The radiographic term for alveolar bone proper is lamina dura. This structure appears more dense than adjacent bone on radiographs. Widening or disruption of the lamina dura may indicate periodontal pathology.

Figure 8. Different terms for the alveolar bone proper There are several different terms used to describe the alveolar bone proper. The gross anatomic term is alveolar bone proper, which is synonymous with the term cribriform plate, so-called because it is perforated by many minute openings for vascular and nervous components. The histologic term is bundle bone. In histologic sections, the ...