Sharpey's fibres

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Sharpey's fibres (bone fibres, or perforating fibres) are a matrix of connective tissue consisting of bundles of strong collagenous fibres connecting periosteum to bone. They are part of the outer fibrous layer of periosteum, entering into the outer circumferential and interstitial lamellae of bone tissue. <ref>Histology study guide (332 Kb PDF). University of Limpopo (Aug 2 2006).See p.7</ref>

In the teeth, Sharpey's fibres are the ends of principal fibres that insert into the cementum. A study on rats suggests that the three-dimensional structure of Sharpey's fibres intensifies the continuity between the periodontal ligament fibre and the alveolar bone (tooth socket), and acts as a buffer medium against stress. <ref> Kuroiwa, M, Chihara K, Higashi S (1994). "Electron microscopic studies on Sharpey's fibers in the alveolar bone of rat molars". Kaibogaku Zasshi 69 (6): 776-82. PMID 7887126.</ref>

In the skull the main function of Sharpey's fibres is to bind the cranial bones in a firm but moveable manner; they are most numerous in areas where the bones are subjected to the greatest forces of separation. <ref> Retzlaff, EW, Mitchell FL, Upledger JE (1982-3). "Efficacy of Cranial Sacral Manipulation: The Physiological Mechanism of the Cranial Sutures". J Soc. Osteopaths (12). ISSN 0308-8766.</ref> Each fibre is accompanied by an arteriole and one or more nerve fibres.

[edit] External links

• Histological photograph of Sharpey's fibres from Dalhousie University Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology

[edit] References

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