Adentia
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Adentia refers to the congenital absence of all or many teeth. The etiology is not fully understood but may involve early damage to the embryonic ectoderm, endocrine system disorders, hereditary syphilis, or genetic factors.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ADENTIA, adentia (from Greek a- negative particle, and Latin dens- tooth), congenital absence of all or many teeth (adentia completa, incompleta). The etiology is not sufficiently clarified. A. is apparently caused by early damage to the embryonic ectodermal layer, which gives rise to tooth rudiments. It is usually associated with abnormal development of other ectodermal formations: skin and its derivatives (sweat glands, hair). Among other causes, lesions of the endocrine system and lues hereditaria are indicated. Cases of adentia in several members of the same family, as well as its hereditary transmission, have been described.
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Cite this page
“Adentia.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/adentia/