Lab 9: Digestive system function

Salivary glands

• secretion of saliva into the oral cavity

Parotid gland

• Anterior to the ear

Submandibular gland

• inferior to the mandible

Sublingual gland

• Inferior to the tongue

Oral cavity

• Beginnning of the digestive tract

Oral vestibule

• space between teeth/gums and lips/cheecks

Oral cavity proper

• Area contained within the teeth and gums

Gingivae (gums)

• where the teeth are housed

Teeth

• organs that function in mastication (mechanical digestion)

Incisors

• Broad and flat teeth at anterior of oral cavity, function in cutting off pieces of food

Canines

• Pointed to function in ripping and tearing

Premolars

• Posterior to canines, broader for grinding

Molars

• Posterior oral cavity, broader for grinding

Tongue

• Skeletal muscle covered with SSE

Lingual frenulum

• Thin piece of tissue that attaches the tounge to floor of mouth

Hard palate

• Anterior portion of rooth of mouth, contains maxilla and palatine bone covered by connective and epithelial tissues

Soft palate

• Posteior roof of mouth, composed of muscle and epithelium

Uvula

• Projection extending from soft palate, prevents food from entering nasal cavity during swallowing

Oropharynx

• Middle portion of the pharynx, posterior to the oral cavity

• contains SSE

• Passageway for air and food

Laryngopharynx

• Inferior portion of the pharynx

Esophagus