What tissue does a dentigerous cyst originate from?

A dentigerous cyst originates from the reduced enamel epithelium, which is the remnant of the dental follicle after the crown of an unerupted tooth has formed. This type of cyst typically surrounds the crown of an impacted tooth, often the mandibular third molars, and develops because of the accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and the crown of the tooth.

The reduced enamel epithelium plays a crucial role in tooth eruption, and when there is some disruption or abnormality, such as a lack of eruption, it can lead to cystic formation. In contrast, dental lamina gives rise to tooth development but does not directly lead to the formation of cysts; thus, it is not the origin of a dentigerous cyst. Stellate reticulum is a layer of the enamel organ involved in the early stages of tooth development and does not relate to cyst formation. Fibrous tissue, while present in many connective tissue structures, does not specifically indicate the origin of a dentigerous cyst, as the cyst is more directly tied to epithelial components. Therefore, identifying the reduced enamel epithelium as the originating tissue helps clarify the formation process of this type of odontogenic cyst.