Cusp of tooth
Cuspis dentis
- Latin synonym: Cuspis coronae dentis; Cuspid
- Related terms: Cusp; Cuspid
Definition
A cusp is an occlusal or incisal eminence on a tooth. Canine teeth, otherwise known as cuspids, each possess a single cusp, while premolars, otherwise known as bicuspids, possess two each. Molars normally possess either four or five cusps. In certain populations the maxillary molars, especially first molars, will possess a fifth cusp (accessory cusp) situated on the mesiolingual cusp known as the Cusp of Carabelli.
References
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
