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Figure 4. High-power SEM view of a portion of the wall of the alveolar bony crypt of a 1st mandibular rat molar at day 3 post-natally, extending from the coronal region (C) of the wall to the basal region (B). Although only a small area of the large coronal region is shown, note elongated depressions (D) that give a scalloped appearance to the bone in that region, whereas in the basal region the bone consists of many narrow trabeculae (T). Scalloped bone is undergoing resorption, whereas trabecular bone reflects bone formation. Between the two is an intermediate region (I) of bone that is relatively smooth. Such smooth bone is more inert, or neutral, reflecting neither growth nor resorption.
