The specific bone structure that forms the lining of the dental alveolus, or tooth socket, is the Alveolar proper (cribriform plate).
- This is a very important anatomical feature in the oral cavity.

- The alveolar proper is a thin layer of bone that directly surrounds and lines the socket in which the tooth is anchored.
- It contains multiple small foramina (holes) that allow blood vessels and nerves to pass through, supplying the periodontal ligament and surrounding structures.
- This structure is distinct because it is the only part of the alveolar bone that comes in direct contact with the tooth via the periodontal ligament fibers that insert into it.

In contrast:
- The basal bone of the maxilla refers to the broader supportive bone of the maxilla, which provides structural support but does not directly interact with the tooth socket.
- The compact bone of the mandible forms the dense outer layer of the mandible but is not specifically the lining of the alveolus.
- The cancellous (spongy) bone is the porous, trabeculated bone located between the alveolar proper and the basal bone, providing shock absorption and housing marrow, but it does not form the tooth socket lining.

Reference: Gray’s Anatomy, 41st Edition, Volume 1, Chapter 5 – The Bones of the Head and Neck, p. 98-99.