OHS W1

Oral Cavity Terminology and Parts of the Tooth

Maxillae

the paired main bones of the upper jaw, holds the upper teeth and forms part of the facial skeleton.

Mandible

the lower jawbone, which holds the lower teeth and is the only movable bone of the skull.

Gingiva

gums

Mucosa

moist epithelial lining of oral cavity

Vestibule

space between lips/cheeks and teeth

Oral Cavity proper

the space within the mouth that includes the gums, tongue, and roof and floor of the mouth.

Alveolar ridges

bony border of tooth sockets (max and mand)

Vermillion border

outline of lips

Philtrum

depression between nose and upper lip

Frenum

tissue that connects either the lip to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth

Alveolar mucosa

lining of the cheeks, movable

Mucogingival junction

where mucose and gingiva meet (attached and free gingiva)

Fordyce Granules

Small, painless, yellowish spots that are sebaceous glands in the oral mucosa.

Labial mucosa

inner portion of lips

Buccal mucosa

inner cheek

Exotoses

extra bony growth on the jawbone, often asymptomatic and can occur in various locations.

Rugae

transverse ridges of epithelial and connect tissue (keratinized epithelium)

Incisive papilla

bulge of tissue located behind the upper front teeth, covering the incisive foramen.

Median palatine raphe

median ridge of palatine

Palatal torus

excess bone projection found on the hard palate, often bilateral.

Palatine tonsils

lymphoid tissue located on either side of the oropharynx, part of the immune system.

Uvula

a small fleshy structure that hangs from the soft palate; helps with speech and prevents food from entering the nasal cavity

Mandibular tori

excess bone projection found in lingual mandibular premolar area

Angkyloglossia

tongue tie; connective tissue connecting tongue to floor of mouth

Sublingual carnucle

small elevation at base of frenum; opening for ducts of submandibular and sublingual salivary glands

Maxillary Tuberosity

rounded elevation of tissue distal to the last tooth of maxilla

Retromolar pad

dense pad of tissue behind mandibular 3rd molars

Coronoid process

moves in the vestibular space when the mouth is wide open