Dental Assistant Practice Exam

What is found at the tip of the root of a tooth and allows blood vessels and nerves to enter?

1. Apex

2. Cemento-Enamel Junction

3. Apical foramen

4. Anatomical crown

The correct answer is: Apical foramen

The apical foramen is a crucial anatomical feature located at the tip of the tooth's root. This small opening serves as the entry point for blood vessels and nerves that supply the dental pulp, which is the innermost soft tissue of the tooth. The presence of the apical foramen is vital for the vitality of the tooth, as it facilitates the necessary nourishment and sensation that the tooth requires to remain healthy and functional. The apex, although related to the root of the tooth, refers to the very tip itself, while the apical foramen specifically denotes the opening through which the vessels and nerves pass. The cemento-enamel junction is the area where the cementum (the tissue covering the root) meets the enamel (the outer surface of the crown), and it is unrelated to the nerve and blood vessel entry. The anatomical crown is part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line, not linked to the root apex. Thus, the apical foramen is the correct choice, as it directly pertains to the entry of blood vessels and nerves into the dental pulp via the root tip.