Neural crest cells migrating from which axial level give rise to the enamel organ and dentine-forming odontoblasts of the teeth?

• A Cardiac neural crest
• B Trunk neural crest
• C Cranial (trigeminal) neural crest ✓
• D Sacral neural crest

Explanation

Cranial neural crest cells, predominantly from the trigeminal (hindbrain) region, migrate into the branchial arches and facial primordia to form the mesenchyme of the teeth including odontoblasts (dentine) and dental papilla. The enamel organ (enamel) is ectodermal in origin, but the inductive signal comes from cranial neural crest-derived mesenchyme. Cardiac neural crest contributes to the aorticopulmonary septum. Trunk neural crest gives rise to dorsal root ganglia, melanocytes, and adrenal medulla, not teeth.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.