Sulcus gingivalis
Sulcus gingivalis The gum groove (sulcus gingivalis) refers to the depression between the edge of the gingiva and the surface of the tooth.
It is bounded by the oral epithelium of the sulcus and the free surface of the connective epithelium. The depth of the gingival groove is about 0.1–0.5 mm (in healthy people we can measure up to 2 mm). Sulcular fluid is an exudate (inflammatory effusion from the blood and lymphatic tract) from the vascular plexus under the connective epithelium. It seeps through the epithelium and exits at the bottom of the sulcus.In a healthy gingiva, the sulcular fluid should not be present at all, and if so, then only in negligible quantities. If the patient suffers from inflammation of the gingiva, the fluid content increases. It is actually a so-called mechanical lavage, because there are plaque microorganisms in it, but at the same time immunoglobulins with antibacterial effect are present in it. Sulcular fluid has two components: cellular and non-cellular. Cellular consists of microorganisms and non-cellular of electrolyte, plasma proteins, fibrins and enzymes.
