Striae of Retzius

Tooth of a Paranthropus robustus with striae of Retzius visible on the left side

The striae of Retzius are incremental growth lines or bands seen in tooth enamel. They represent the incremental pattern of enamel, the successive apposition of different layers of enamel during crown formation.

There are 3 types of incremental lines: Daily incremental lines (cross striation), striae of Retzius and neonatal lines.