Final answer:
A small elevation of enamel on the crown of a tooth is known as a cusp. The crown is coated with enamel and contains dentin underneath, both of which protect the inner pulp cavity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The small elevation of enamel found on some portion of the crown of a tooth is known as a cusp. The crown is the visible portion of a tooth above the gum line, covered with enamel, the hardest substance in the body designed to withstand biting and chewing. Under the enamel, the crown has a layer of dentin, a bone-like tissue that extends into the tooth's root surrounding the pulp cavity.
Enamel, despite being incredibly hard, is still vulnerable to decay, which can lead to dental caries (cavities), a condition where bacteria in the mouth degrade the enamel through the production of acids.