Stratum intermedium

The cells of the stratum intermedium are situated between the stellate reticulum and the inner enamel epithelium. They are flat to cuboid in shape and are arranged in one to three layers. They are connected with each other and with the neighboring cells of the stellate reticulum and the inner enamel epithelium by desmosomes. Tonofibrils, with an orientation parallel to the surface of the developing enamel, are found in the cytoplasm. The function of the stratum intermedium is not understood, but it is believed to play a role in production of the enamel itself, either through control of fluid diffusion into and out of the ameloblasts or by the actual contribution of necessary formative elements or enzymes. The cells of the stratum intermedium show mitotic division even after the cells of the inner enamel epithelium cease to divide.