gingival sulcus

sulcus /sul·cus/ (sul´kus) pl. sul´ci   [L.] a groove, trench, or furrow; in anatomy, a general term for such a depression, especially one on the brain surface, separating the gyri.

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arterial sulci  grooves on the internal surfaces of the cranial bones for the meningeal arteries.

calcarine sulcus  a sulcus of the medial surface of the occipital lobe, separating the cuneus from the lingual gyrus.

central cerebral sulcus  one between the frontal and parietal lobes of the cerebral hemisphere.

cerebral sulci  the furrows between the cerebral gyri.

cerebral sulcus, lateral  fissure of Sylvius.

cingulate sulcus  one on the median surface of the hemisphere midway between the corpus callosum and the margin of the surface.

collateral sulcus  one on the inferior surface of the cerebral hemisphere between the fusiform and parahippocampal gyri.

sul´ci cu´tis  the fine depressions on the surface of the skin between the dermal ridges.

gingival sulcus  the groove between the surface of the tooth and the epithelium lining the free gingiva.

hippocampal sulcus  one extending from the splenium of the corpus callosum almost to the tip of the temporal lobe.

interlobar sulci  the sulci that separate the lobes of the brain from each other.

intraparietal sulcus  one separating the parietal gyri.

sulcus of matrix of nail  the skin fold in which the proximal part of the nail is embedded.

parietooccipital sulcus  one marking the boundary between the cuneus and precuneus, and also between the parietal and occipital lobes of the cerebral hemisphere.

posterior median sulcus 

1. a shallow vertical groove in the closed part of the medulla oblongata, continuous with the posterior median sulcus of the spinal cord.

2. a shallow vertical groove dividing the spinal cord throughout its whole length in the midline posteriorly.

precentral sulcus  one separating the precentral gyrus from the remainder of the frontal lobe.

scleral sulcus  a slight groove at the junction of the sclera and cornea.

venous sulci  grooves on the internal surfaces of the cranial bones for the meningeal veins.

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gingival sulcus

n.

The narrow space or groove between the surface of the tooth and the free gingiva. Also called gingival crevice, subgingival space.

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gingival sulcus.

See gingival crevice.

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gingival (jin´jvl),

adj pertaining to or in relation to the gingiva.

gingival abrasion,

n the attrition (scraping or wearing away) of the gingival tissue by harsh irritants such as coarse foods or faulty toothbrushing.

gingival anatomy,

n the gingiva, which is a dense connective tissue covered by keratinized mucosa except in the sulcus, where it is nonkeratinized. The margin is curved buccolingually with the peaks (papillae) interdentally. The sulcus depth normally is the apical limit to the free (unattached) gingiva, the attached gingiva extending from the free gingiva to the oral mucosa.

gingival architecture,

n the gingival form.

gingival blanching,

n the lightening of gingival color resulting from stretching with diminution of blood supply; usually of a temporary nature. Can occur with the injection of a vasoconstrictor found in a local anesthetic agent.

gingival bleeding,

n a prominent symptom of periodontal disease produced by ulceration of the sulcular epithelium and an inflammatory process. It can occur on probing or when the tissues are manipulated by instrumentation, oral hygiene, or eating. The blood comes from the lamina propria after ulceration of the epithelial lining.

gingival blood supply,

n the vascular supply to the gingivae arises from the vessels that pass on the gingival side of the outer periosteum of bone and anastomoses with blood vessels of the periodontal ligament and intraalveolar blood vessels.

gingival color,

n the color of the gingival tissues in health and in disease. It varies with the thickness and degree of keratinization of the epithelium, blood supply, pigmentation, and alterations produced by diseased processes affecting the gingival tissues. In health often described as coral pink, with possible areas of pigmentation.

gingival consistency,

n the visual and tactile characteristics of healthy gingival tissue. Visual consistency varies from a smooth velvet to that of an orange peel, either finely or coarsely grained. The tactile consistency of the gingival tissue should be firm and resilient.

gingival crater,

n a concave depression in the gingival tissue. Especially seen in the area of the former apex of the interdental papilla as a result of gingival destruction associated with necrotizing periodontal disease or when food impaction occurs against the tissue subjacent to the contact points of adjacent teeth.

gingival crevicular fluid,

n an older term for the serum transudate found in the gingival sulcus. Irritation and inflammation of the gingival tissue increase the flow and alter the constituents of crevicular fluid. More commonly called gingival fluid.

gingival cyanotic tissue,

n gingival tissue that appears slightly bluish red due to a reduction in oxygenated hemoglobin; may occur in conjunction with vitamin C deficiency. See also cyanosis.

gingival cyst of the adult,

n See cyst, gingival, of the adult.

gingival cyst of the newborn,

n See cyst, gingival, of the newborn.

gingival discoloration,

n a change from the normal coloration of the gingivae; associated with inflammation, diminution of blood supply, and abnormal pigmentation.

gingival enlargement, drug-influenced,

n the growth of the gingival tissues, especially the interdental and papillae, resulting from the use of drugs such as those that block calcium channels or by Dilantin.

Gingival enlargement seen in a patient taking a calcium channel blocker.

gingival erythema, linear (LGE),

n a characteristic of a necrotizing periodontal condition in an HIV-positive patient. A band of acute erythema located at the gingival margin.

gingival erythema, lingual,

n a band of acute erythema located at the inside gingival margin (next to the tongue).

gingival fibroblast,

n a formative cell that moderates wound healing and healing after treatment. See also fibroblast.

gingival fibromatosis,

n See fibromatosis, gingival.

gingival graft,

n See graft, gingival.

gingival hemorrhage,

n the excessive bleeding of the gingival tissues; usually at the interpapillary crest, the gingival margin, or in the crevicular sulcus. It can be due to severe periodontal diseases or medical complications (e.g., leukemia).

gingival hormonal enlargement,

n an enlargement of the gingivae associated with hormonal imbalance during pregnancy or puberty.

gingival mat,

n the gingival connective tissue composed of coarse, broad collagen fibers that serve to attach the gingivae to the teeth and to hold the free gingivae in close approximation to the teeth.

gingival physiology,

n the gingivae encircle the teeth and serve as a protective mucosal covering for the underlying tissues; the gingival fiber apparatus serves as a barrier to apical migration of the epithelial attachment and binds the gingival tissues to the teeth. The normal topography permits the free flow of food away from the occlusal surfaces and from the cervical and interproximal areas of the teeth.

gingival pigmentation,

n the variations in gingival color may be correlated with the racial diversity of an individual or may be a reflection of pathologic influences, such as the melanin pigmentation associated with hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease), nevi, and depositions of heavy metals. See also melanin and melanosis.

gingival pocket,

n a localized deepening of the gingival crevice of 2 mm or more.

gingival position,

n the level of the gingival margin in relation to the tooth.

gingival recession,

n the apical migration of the gingival crest.

gingival shrinkage,

n the reduction in size of gingival tissue, principally by diminution of edema, usually as a result of therapeutic elimination of subgingival deposits and curettement of the soft tissue wall of the pocket.

gingival stippling,

n a series of small depressions characterizing the surface of healthy gingivae, varying from a smooth velvet to that of an orange peel.

gingival sulcus,

n the space between the free gingiva and the tooth.

gingival surface texture,

n the texture of the attached gingivae, which normally is stippled; in inflammatory conditions, the edema, cellular infiltration, and concomitant swelling cause loss of the surface stippling, and the gingivae take on a smooth, shiny, edematous appearance.

gingival third,

n the most apical one third of a given clinical crown or of an axial surface cavity or preparation.

gingival topography,

n the form of the healthy gingival tissues. The marginal gingivae and the interdental papillae have a characteristic shape.

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sulcus (sul´ks),

n 1. a furrow, trench, or groove, as on the surface of the brain or in the folds of mucous membranes.
2. a groove or depression on the surface of a tooth.
3. a groove in a portion of the oral cavity.

sulcus, alveololingual,

n the space between the alveolar or residual alveolar ridge and the tongue. It extends from the lingual frenum to the retromylohyoid curtain and is a part of the floor of the oral cavity.

sulcus, gingival,

n the shallow groove between the free gingiva and the surface of a tooth and extending around its circumference. Older term:
gingival crevice. See also pocket.

sulcus, implant gingival,

n a sulcus around the implant abutment post that resembles the sulcus around a healthy natural tooth.

n the groove that runs between the corner of the upper lip and the nose. Also known as
sulcus nasolabialis.

sulcus, occlusal,

n a groove or spillway on the occlusal surface of a tooth.

sulcus, terminalis,

n a V-shaped shallow groove on the surface of the tongue that separates the distal third of the tongue from the proximal two-thirds.

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sulcus

pl. sulci [L.] a groove or furrow; a linear depression, especially one separating the gyri of the brain.

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abomasal sulcus

the third or abomasal part of the gastric groove.

alar sulcus

lies between the dorsolateral cartilage at the nostril and the lateral accessory cartilage.

calcarine sulcus

see calcarine sulcus.

central sulcus

fissure of Rolando.

collateral sulcus

see collateral fissure.

coronal sulcus

a groove at the top of the hoof wall that houses the coronal matrix.

coronary sulcus

an external groove which indicates the division of the ventricles of the heart and the atria. Houses the circumflex coronary blood vessels of the heart.

cruciate sulcus

a deep groove which runs transversely across the rostro-dorsal surface of the cerebrum and which is one of the landmarks on the cerebral cortex.

sulcus cutis

fine depressions of the skin between the ridges of the skin.

dorsal median sulcus

see dorsal median fissure.

gingival sulcus

the groove between the surface of the tooth and the epithelium lining the free gingiva.

hippocampal sulcus

hippocampal fissure.

jugular sulcus

see jugular furrow.

lateral cerebral sulcus

see sylvian fissure.

sulcus limitans

a longitudinal groove in the neural tube wall of the embryo; stretches from the mesencephalon caudad.

omasal sulcus

the second part of the gastric groove in ruminants.

reticular sulcus

the first part of the gastric groove in ruminants.

rhinal sulcus

a deep groove which separates the neopallium from the paleopallium on the lateral surface of the brain.

rumenoreticular sulcus

a groove on the external surface of the forestomachs that marks the division between the rumen and reticulum.

scleral sulcus

the groove between the sclera and cornea.

sylvian sulcus

a landmark groove on the lateral side of the cerebral cortex.

urethral sulcus

the furrow in the ventral aspect of the corpus cavernosum of the penis that accommodates the corpus cavernosum urethrae and the urethra.