Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Which term refers to the endpoint of the root of a tooth?

1. Apex

2. Apical foramen

3. Anatomical crown

4. Dentin

The correct answer is: Apex

The term that refers to the endpoint of the root of a tooth is apex. This is the area where the root tapers to a point at the very end, allowing the tooth to connect to the surrounding tissues and nerves in the jawbone. The apex plays a crucial role in the overall health of the tooth, as it is involved in the nourishment of the tooth through the apical foramen, which is an opening at the tip of the root where blood vessels and nerves enter. While options like apical foramen, anatomical crown, and dentin relate to other aspects of tooth anatomy, they do not specifically indicate the exact endpoint of the root structure. The apical foramen refers specifically to the hole at the apex where the nerves and blood vessels enter, while the anatomical crown is the portion of the tooth that is visible above the gum line, and dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth structure beneath the enamel. Therefore, apex is the most accurate term for the endpoint of the tooth root.