Basic Terminology
Our atlas of Basic Terminology is designed for dental and hygiene students, aspiring students, and even office staff.
-min.png)
Welcome to the world of dentistry! We're so glad you're here.
To Rotate: Click with the left mouse button, hold, and move the cursor as needed.
To Zoom In: Scroll up.
To Zoom Out: Scroll down.
In order to provide you the highest quality models, please allow some time for them to load.
Lobe
Lobe: A primary anatomical division of the crown of a tooth, usually separated by developmental grooves. In this example, tooth #30 has 5 lobes.
Fossa
Fossa: A depression or concavity on the occlusal surface of a tooth, usually rounded or wedge-shaped.
Sulcus
Sulcus: An elongated depression formed by the inclines of adjacent cusps or ridges on the occlusal surface of a tooth.
Groove
Groove: A linear depression on the occlusal surface of a tooth, usually formed by the fusing of two developmental lobes during tooth development.
Fissure: Found on the bottom of developmental grooves, due to an incomplete joining of the lobes. Pits and fissures are both deep grooves.
