Transalveolar fibers of the mouse periodontium: a scanning electron microscopic study

Transalveolar fibers have been described by many authors using techniques of light microscopy. However, a study of these fibers using techniques of scanning electron microscopy has not been reported. In the present study, scanning electron microscopic techniques revealed that transalveolar fibers were composed of a bundle of smaller fibers. This fiber bundle passed through channels in bone and was attached to the bone by anchoring fibers. Transalveolar fibers branched within bone. Near points of branching, channels were often dilated. Channels were continuous with the connective tissue space of the periodontal ligament at the bone margin. The results presented herein suggested a revised concept for the anchorage of fibers of the periodontal ligament to bone.