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periodontal membrane
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A labeled cross section illustration of an adult human molar shows the tooth's crown and root, with layers including enamel, dentin, and pulp, as well as gum, cementum, blood vessels, periodontal ligament, lateral canals, and nerve.
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Also called:
Periodontal Ligament
Related Topics:
mouth
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periodontal membrane

anatomy
Also known as: circumdental membrane, periodontal ligament, periodontium(Show More)
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

periodontal membrane, fleshy tissue between tooth and tooth socket that holds the tooth in place, attaches it to the adjacent teeth, and enables it to resist the stresses of chewing. It develops from the follicular sac that surrounds the embryonic tooth during growth.

The periodontal membrane contains blood vessels and sensory nerve endings for pain, touch, and proprioceptive sensation (sensation arising from stimuli within rather than outside the body), the latter providing the central nervous system with the feedback information necessary for coordinated muscle activity in complex activities such as mastication and swallowing.