A three-dimensional reconstruction of the rods in rat maxillary incisor enamel.

A three-dimensional reconstruction of the rod profiles seen in inner and outer rat incisor enamel was made from serial 1 μ cross sections of a decalcified upper incisor. The enamel rod was found to be an elongated structure which travelled incisally relative to its origin and ran continuously from the dentino-enamel junction to the enamel surface. The rod was divisible into an inner and outer enamel portion. The inner enamel portion began at the dentinoenamel junction and travelled incisally for about 20 μ with either a mesial or lateral tilt towards the outer enamel. The outer enamel portion of the rod was straight and ran incisally for about 60 μ as it gradually approached the enamel