periodontium

The connective tissue that surrounds the tooth root and attaches it to its bony socket; it consists of fibers anchored in the cementum and extending into the alveolar bone; the tissues that surround and support the teeth, including the gingivae, cementum, desmodentium, periodontal fibrs, and alveolar and supporting bone. SYN: periodontal ligament [TA], periodontal membrane, alveolar periosteum, periosteum alveolare, alveolodental ligament, alveolodental membrane, gingivodental ligament, paradentium, parodontium, peridental ligament, peridental membrane, peridentium, tapetum alveoli. [L. fr. peri- + G. odous, tooth]

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peri·odon·tium .per-ē-ō-'dän-ch(ē-)əm n, pl -tia -ch(ē-)ə the supporting structures of the teeth including the cementum, the periodontal membrane, the bone of the alveolar process, and the gums

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n.

the tissues that support and attach the teeth: the gums (see gingiva), periodontal membrane, alveolar bone, and cementum.

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peri·odon·ti·um (per″e-o-donґshe-əm) pl. periodonґtia [peri- + Gr. odous tooth] 1. [TA] the tissues that invest or help to invest and support the teeth, including the 2. periodontal ligament, gingivae, cementum, and alveolar and supporting bone. Called also odontoperiosteum, paradentium, and peridontium. periodontal ligament.

Periodontium, showing the periodontal ligament attaching the cementum of the tooth root to the alveolar bone of the socket; the collagen fibers of the ligament are grouped into bundles.