Weil Symptom Complex

WEIL SYMPTOM COMPLEX (Weil), a rare form of familial spastic pseudobulbar palsy. The pathological manifestations consist of dysarthria with paralysis of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and vocal cords, without disturbances of swallowing. There is no degenerative atrophy or signs of replacement reaction. Reflexes are preserved. Among other cerebral disorders, significant intellectual retardation is noted. Besides Weil, the symptom complex was described by Kleppel (Kire). WEIL'S LAYER (Weil), a layer of dental pulp located directly beneath the odontoblasts, between them and the rest of the pulp mass. W. s. represents a part of the pulp containing the processes of odontoblasts and intercellular substance almost devoid of cellular elements; therefore, on stained histological preparations, it appears as a pale zone. This layer contains a nerve plexus, the branches of which envelop the odontoblasts, and the ramifications of blood capillaries. W. s. appears in the pulp of the tooth germ not earlier than the beginning of dentin deposition (G. Fischer). Due to the absence of W. s. in some cases, views have been expressed considering this layer nonconstant. According to observations by Walkhoff, W. layer appears after the active period of the pulp has ended as a result of the atrophy of odontoblasts on the one hand, and cells of the rest of the pulp mass on the other. Weil's layer is, as a rule, found in all teeth of elderly subjects; in young persons it may be absent.