Dental Anatomy – Oral Cavity & Tooth Landmarks (Week 1)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering oral cavity anatomy, dental landmarks, tooth structures, and related terminology from Week 1 lecture notes.

Maxillae

Paired bones that form the upper jaw and support the upper dental arch.

Mandible

The movable lower jaw bone that houses the lower teeth.

Gingiva

Gum tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth.

Mucosa

Moist epithelial lining of the oral cavity and associated structures.

Vestibule

Space between the lips/cheeks and the teeth or alveolar ridges.

Oral Cavity Proper

Area inside the teeth and alveolar ridges, extending to the palatine tonsils.

Philtrum

Vertical depression between the nose and upper lip.

Frenum

Fold of connective tissue attaching lip, cheek, or tongue to underlying structures.

Mucogingival Junction

Scalloped line where alveolar mucosa meets attached gingiva.

Alveolar Mucosa

Loosely attached, reddish lining over the alveolar process.

Muco-buccal Fold

The vestibular fold where alveolar mucosa reflects onto the cheeks.

Fordyce Granules

Ectopic sebaceous glands appearing as yellowish spots in labial or buccal mucosa.

Exostoses

Localized overgrowths of normal cortical bone on alveolar processes.

Hard Palate

Anterior bony portion of the palate covered by keratinized epithelium.

Soft Palate

Posterior non-keratinized muscular portion of the palate.

Palatine Rugae

Transverse ridges of tissue on the anterior hard palate.

Incisive Papilla

Midline bulge of tissue posterior to maxillary central incisors.

Median Palatine Raphe

Midline ridge of tissue on the hard palate.

Greater Palatine Foramen

Opening lingual to maxillary 2nd/3rd molars for palatine vessels and nerves.

Fovea Palatinae

Pair of small depressions on either side of the posterior nasal spine.

Fauces

Opening between oral cavity and oropharynx bounded by faucial pillars.

Anterior Faucial Pillar

Front muscular fold forming the fauces border.

Posterior Faucial Pillar

Rear muscular fold forming the fauces border.

Palatine Tonsils

Lymphoid masses between the faucial pillars that help remove toxins.

Uvula

Midline projection hanging from posterior soft palate.

Maxillary Tuberosity

Rounded tissue distal to the last maxillary molar.

Retromolar Pad

Dense pad of tissue posterior to mandibular third molar area.

Palatal Torus

Bony projection on the midline of the hard palate.

Mandibular Tori

Bony growths on the lingual aspect of the mandibular premolar area.

Tongue

Muscular organ occupying the floor of the mouth, used in speech and mastication.

Lingual Frenum

Fold attaching the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Ankyloglossia

“Tongue-tie” resulting from a short or anteriorly attached lingual frenum.

Sublingual Caruncle

Small elevation at frenum base housing submandibular and sublingual duct openings.

Coronoid Process

Anterior superior projection of the mandibular ramus; enters vestibule when mouth opens.

Anatomical Crown

Portion of tooth covered by enamel, whether visible or not.

Clinical Crown

Part of the tooth visible in the mouth above the gingiva.

Anatomical Root

Part of tooth covered with cementum.

Apex

Terminal end of a root where nerves and vessels enter.

Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ)

Line where enamel of crown meets cementum of root.

Trifurcated Root

Root with three branches, typical of maxillary molars.

Bifurcated Root

Root with two branches, common in mandibular molars/premolars.

Enamel

96 % inorganic hard outer covering of the crown resistant to wear.

Dentin

70 % inorganic bulk of tooth under enamel and cementum; second hardest tissue.

Cementum

Outer covering of root providing periodontal ligament attachment; 65 % inorganic.

Pulp

Soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and odontoblasts that nourish the tooth.

Pulp Chamber

Central cavity in the crown portion containing pulp tissue.

Pulp Canal

Canal within each root housing pulp tissue.

Pulp Horn

Pointed extension of pulp toward cusp tips or incisal edges.

Facial Surface

Surface of tooth facing the lips or cheeks (labial or buccal).

Labial Surface

Facial surface of anterior teeth facing the lips.

Buccal Surface

Facial surface of posterior teeth facing the cheeks.

Lingual Surface

Surface of tooth facing the tongue.

Mesial Surface

Proximal surface closest to the midline of the dental arch.

Distal Surface

Proximal surface farthest from the midline of the dental arch.

Incisal Third

Top third of an anterior crown nearest the incisal edge.

Occlusal Third

Top third of a posterior crown nearest the occlusal surface.

Cervical Third

Third of crown nearest the CEJ and gingival margin.

Line Angle

Junction line where two crown surfaces meet.

Point Angle

Point where three crown surfaces converge.

Cusp

Major pointed elevation on a tooth crown.

Fossa

Depression or concavity on a tooth surface.

Developmental Groove

Linear depression marking the union of tooth lobes.

Supplemental Groove

Secondary, shallower groove branching from a developmental groove.

Pit

Small pinpoint depression at the junction of developmental grooves.

Tubercle

Small elevation of enamel on a crown, often atypical.

Ridge

Linear elevation on the surface of a tooth.

Marginal Ridge

Raised borders on occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth or lingual surfaces of anterior teeth.

Triangular Ridge

Ridge running from a cusp tip toward the central groove on posterior teeth.

Transverse Ridge

Union of two triangular ridges crossing buccal to lingual on posterior teeth.

Oblique Ridge

Union of two triangular ridges crossing obliquely on maxillary molars.

Lobe

Primary developmental segment of a tooth crown.

Concavity

Depressed or hollowed surface area on a tooth.

Embrasure

V-shaped spillway created by two adjacent teeth diverging occlusally from contact area.

Proximal Contact Area

Area on mesial or distal surface where adjacent teeth touch.

Interproximal Space

Triangular space between teeth cervical to contact, normally filled by gingiva.

Cervical Embrasure

Gingival embrasure resulting from loss of interdental papilla.

Col Area

Non-keratinized depression of interdental gingiva below contact point.

Curvature of Crown

Contour of tooth surfaces that protects gingiva and disperses occlusal forces.

Self-Cleaning Mechanism

Tooth and oral structures’ ability to direct food and saliva to cleanse surfaces.

Alveolar Process

Portion of jaw bone containing tooth sockets (alveoli).

Buccinator Muscle

Cheek muscle forming lateral wall of vestibule.

Vermilion Border

Outline of the lips where skin meets mucosa.

Vermilion Zone

Reddish portion of lips between vermilion border and labial mucosa.

Labial Commissure

Corner junction where upper and lower lips meet.

Palatine Rugae

Transverse ridges on anterior hard palate aiding in speech and food manipulation.