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Glite Dictionary
plexus dentalis

plexus dentalis

9.2
A group of nerves that give feeling to the teeth, gums, and nearby parts
  • noun
  • /ˈplɛksəs ˈdɛntəlɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plexo dental
  • Damage to the plexus dentalis can result in loss of sensation in the teeth and gums.

Examples

  • Local anesthesia is administered near the plexus dentalis to numb the entire dental arch during surgery.

  • The dentist explained that the intense pain might be due to inflammation of the plexus dentalis.

  • The plexus dentalis plays a crucial role in dental health.

  • Injuries to the plexus dentalis can cause severe pain.

  • When a dentist examines a patient, they assess if the plexus dentalis is functioning properly to ensure the health of the teeth.

  • In dental procedures, the plexus dentalis must be carefully considered to avoid nerve damage that could lead to complications.

  • The patient felt a sharp pain, which the dentist attributed to issues with the plexus dentalis surrounding the affected tooth.

Surface Forms

plexus dentalis singular
plexus dentales plural

Morphology

plexus + dentalis

If a learner knows 'plexus' (a network of vessels or nerves) and recognizes 'dentalis' as relating to teeth (cognate with English 'dental'), the combined meaning 'a network related to the teeth' is directly derivable. The term is compositional and follows medical/Latinate naming conventions found across languages, so the sense is predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Plexus dentalis comes from Latin words plexus meaning 'tangled net' and dentalis meaning 'about the teeth', giving the image of a small web of nerves wrapped around each tooth. That's why it means 'a network of nerves supplying the teeth' and why damage can cause strong pain or numbness.