structure

struc·ture (strkchr)

n.

1. The arrangement or formation of the tissues, organs, or other parts of an organism.

2. A tissue, an organ, or other formation made up of different but related parts.

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structure,

n the architectural arrangement of the component parts of a tissue, part, organ, or body. Also the individual components of the body.

structure, border,

n See border structures.

structure, cored,

n in metallurgy a grain structure with composition gradients resulting from the progressive freezing of the components in different proportions. Nonmetals used in dentistry (e.g., zinc phosphate, silicate cements) also are cored structures, in that they have a nucleus of undissolved powder particles surrounded by a matrix of reacted material.

structure, denture-supporting,

n the tissues, including teeth and residual ridges, that serve as the foundation or basal seat for removable partial dentures.

structure, functional form of supporting,

n the state of denture-supporting structures when they have been placed in such a position as to be able to begin resisting occlusal forces.

structure, histologic,

n the microscopic structure of organic tissues.

structure, radiolucent,

n the structures or substances that permit the penetration of x-radiation and are thus registered as relatively dark areas on the radiograph.

structure, radiopaque

n structures of such density that roentgen rays cannot penetrate them, causing them to appear as light areas on the radiograph.

structure, supporting,

n the tissues that maintain or assist in maintaining the teeth in position in the alveolus (e.g., gingivae, cementum of the tooth, periodontal ligament, alveolar and trabecular bone).