Abstract
To date little attention has been given to the appearances of the enamel organic matrix when examined between crossed nicols, and the few published observations show considerable disagreement. Cape and Kitchin1, and Poole2 reported that the enamel organic matrix is without intrinsic birefringence. Keil3 and Schmidt4 reported a weak positive intrinsic birefringence–the sign being described with respect to the long axis of the enamel prisms. Rushton5 stated that this positive birefringence is strong, in fact stronger than the negative intrinsic birefringence of the mineral matter present in the mature tissue.
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References
Cape, A. T., and Kitchin, P. C., J. Amer. Dent. Ass., 17, 193 (1930).
Poole, D. F. G., Quart J. Micro. Sci., 98, 349 (1957).
Keil, A., Z. Zellforsch., 22, 633 (1935).
Schmidt, W. J., Z. Zellforsch., 49, 319 (1959).
Rushton, M. A., Brit. Dent. J., 67, 1 (1939).
Frey-Wyssling, A., “Submicroseopic Morphology of Protoplasm and its Derivatives” (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1948).
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ALLAN, J. Birefringence of Enamel Organic Matrix. Nature 185, 402 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/185402a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/185402a0
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