Structure et ultrastructure de la pulpe de Vipera aspis (viperidae)

Abstract

The present paper using classical and transmission electron microscopy brings the first data on the pulp of the fangs of Viperidae (poisonous serpents with terrestrial or semi-aquatic habits).

The pulp of the fangs of Viperidae shows a poor collagen and fibroblast content and a high developed vascular system.

The odontoblasts are polarized, with a high organelle content. The interconnections are constituted of lateral «gap junction» systems.

At a late secretion stage, the odontoblastic processes show a poor cytoplasm, mainly constituted of microfilaments.