01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Set into sockets in your upper and lower jaws.
02 / Structure & organization
Enamel covers the crown, dentin forms most of the tooth, and cementum covers the root. Pulp occupies the central chamber and root canals. The periodontal ligament attaches the root to alveolar bone and transmits forces during biting.
03 / Function
The hard outer layer of a tooth is called enamel.
04 / Mechanism
A tooth has a visible crown and a root anchored below the gum. Enamel covers the crown; beneath it is dentin. The soft pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. Front teeth cut food and broader back teeth grind it.
Part of a bigger picture
The tooth belongs in our head & face collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
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Connect structure with function
Enamel lacks living cells and cannot remodel like bone. Tooth support depends on the periodontium, including the ligament, gingiva, cementum and surrounding alveolar bone.
Check your understanding
Locate the tooth in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.