Interglobular spaces in some mammalian teeth.

COHEN[1] ascribes a statement to TOMES to the effect that the interglobular spaces are caused by an imperfect calcification of dentin. In 1850, CZERMAK[2] of Germany coined the term Interglobularraume and, later on, these interglobular spaces were assumed or interpreted by KOLLIKER[3], MCQUILLEN[4] and KOLLMANN[5] to be that portion of hypocalcified area occured by an imperfect union of calcospherites appearing in the calcification of dentin through its formative process. In the published native literature, ISOKAWA et al.[6] established the interglobular space as an imperfectly calcified portion as a result of their historadiographic analysis. In an effort to study universal morphology of the interglobular space, KATAYAMA [7], NISHIYAMA[8], ERVA[9] and NAKAJIMA[10] used the permanent teeth, whereas ISOKAWA et al.[11] made use of the deciduous teeth, the latter carrying out observations by means of semi-serial ground sections. Consensus of their opinions indicates that the interglobular space can be regarded as a universal structure except for the deciduous incisors and canines in man. On the other hand, FUJITA[12] in his textbook on Dental Histology describes that the interglobular space is altogether lacking in teeth other than those of man and, if there should be found at all, it is a very rare phenomenon. However, as early as in 1926 BREUER[13] attested to the existence of this interglobular space in the badger (Meles anakuma), ADOLFF[14] in the seaunicon (Monodon), and DIECKMANN[15], GOLDBERG[16] and MUMMERY[17] respectively found the interglobular space in a few species of mammalians. Inspite of these published findings, however, it is not possible to state definitely that the interglobular space is a universally found structure in the mammalian teeth: the reason is that the space is not invariably found in every tooth of the same mammalian dentition. Usual practice of preparing one or two ground sections from one tooth certainly leaves room for a possibility of missing the interglobular space even if it exists there. In the present study, the authors concerned themselves with semi-serial ground sections prepared from as many as 21 mammalians in order to ascertain the existence of this space in them.