Ameloblasts: secretory and resorptive functions.

The sequence of steps which an ameloblast passes through in forming enamel appears remarkably similar in amphibian and man. Despite considerable improvements in understanding the early events in the life cycle that lead to the intracellular synthesis and secretion of enamel matrix by the cell, little is known about the cell's functional role at later stages of the life cycle when the extracellular enamel matrix undergoes classical maturation in becoming fully mineralized.