Dental Anatomy – Oral Cavity and Tooth Landmarks

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms from Week 1 lecture on oral cavity anatomy and tooth landmarks.

Oral Cavity

The beginning of the digestive tract that also shares a pathway with the respiratory system, extending from the lips and cheeks to the palatine tonsils.

Vestibule

The space between the lips/cheeks and the teeth or alveolar ridges.

Oral Cavity Proper

The area inside the dental arches, bounded by the maxillary and mandibular alveolar ridges and extending to the throat.

Maxilla

The paired bones forming the upper jaw; supports the upper dental arch.

Mandible

The single, movable bone of the lower jaw that supports the lower dental arch.

Gingiva

The gum tissues that surround and support the teeth.

Mucosa

Moist epithelial lining of the oral cavity.

Philtrum

Vertical depression between the nose and the upper lip.

Frenum

A fold of connective tissue that attaches movable soft tissue to fixed tissue (e.g., labial and lingual frena).

Mucogingival Junction

The scalloped line where the attached gingiva meets the alveolar mucosa.

Alveolar Mucosa

Loosely attached, reddish mucosa lining the cheeks and covering the alveolar process.

Vermilion Border

The outline where the lip mucosa meets the facial skin.

Vermilion Zone

The fuller, darker-colored central part of the lips.

Buccinator Muscle

Major muscle forming the cheeks, covered internally by mucous membrane.

Zygomatic Alveolar Crest

The bony ridge at the anterior part of the vestibule near the zygomatic process.

Fordyce Granules

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

Exostoses

Localized overgrowths of cortical bone on the alveolar processes.

Maxillary Tuberosity

Rounded alveolar bone distal to the last maxillary molar.

Retromolar Pad

Dense pad of tissue posterior to the mandibular third molar area.

Hard Palate

Anterior bony portion of the palate, covered with keratinized epithelium and transverse rugae.

Soft Palate

Posterior, non-keratinized muscular portion of the palate involved in speech and swallowing.

Rugae

Transverse epithelial ridges on the anterior hard palate.

Incisive Papilla

Small, singular bulge of tissue on the midline just posterior to the maxillary central incisors.

Median Palatine Raphe

Midline ridge running anteroposteriorly on the hard palate.

Greater Palatine Foramen

Opening lingual to the maxillary second and third molars for the greater palatine nerve and vessels.

Fovea Palatinae

Pair of small depressions near the posterior nasal spine on the soft palate.

Fauces

Opening between the oral cavity and oropharynx, bordered by faucial pillars.

Anterior Faucial Pillar

Muscular fold forming the front lateral border of the fauces.

Posterior Faucial Pillar

Muscular fold forming the rear lateral border of the fauces.

Palatine Tonsils

Lymphoid masses between the faucial pillars that help remove toxins.

Uvula

Conical projection hanging from the posterior soft palate.

Palatal Torus

A benign bony projection in the midline of the hard palate.

Mandibular Tori

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

Tongue

Muscular organ occupying the oral cavity floor, important for taste and speech.

Lingual Frenum

Fold of tissue attaching the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Ankyloglossia

“Tongue-tie” condition where a short lingual frenum restricts tongue movement.

Sublingual Caruncle

Small elevation at the base of the lingual frenum containing openings of submandibular and sublingual ducts.

Coronoid Process

Anterior superior projection of the mandibular ramus that may encroach on the vestibule during wide opening.

Crown (Tooth)

Portion of a tooth covered by enamel.

Clinical Crown

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

Anatomical Crown

Entire area of the tooth covered by enamel, regardless of eruption level.

Root (Tooth)

Part of the tooth covered by cementum and anchored in the alveolus.

Apex

Terminal end of the root where nerves and vessels enter.

Furcation

Area where a multirooted tooth divides; bifurcation (two) or trifurcation (three).

CEJ (Cementoenamel Junction)

Line where enamel of the crown meets cementum of the root.

Enamel

96% inorganic, hardest body tissue, outer covering of the crown.

Dentin

Main bulk of tooth structure beneath enamel and cementum; 70% inorganic.

Cementum

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

Pulp

Soft tissue in the tooth’s center containing blood vessels, nerves, and odontoblasts.

Pulp Cavity

Entire internal space housing the dental pulp (chamber + canals).

Pulp Chamber

Portion of pulp cavity located in the crown.

Pulp Horn

Projection of pulp tissue toward a cusp or incisal edge.

Facial Surface

Tooth surface facing the lips or cheeks (labial or buccal).

Lingual Surface

Surface of a tooth facing the tongue.

Labial Surface

Facial surface of an anterior tooth adjacent to the lips.

Buccal Surface

Facial surface of a posterior tooth adjacent to the cheek.

Mesial Surface

Proximal surface toward the midline of the arch.

Distal Surface

Proximal surface away from the midline of the arch.

Proximal Surface

Surface of a tooth that faces an adjacent tooth (mesial or distal).

Incisal Third

Top third of an anterior tooth crown nearest the incisal edge.

Occlusal Third

Top third of a posterior tooth crown nearest the chewing surface.

Line Angle

Junction where two crown surfaces meet (e.g., mesiolabial).

Point Angle

Point where three crown surfaces converge (e.g., mesiobucco-occlusal).

Cusp

Pronounced elevation or peak on the occlusal or incisal surface of a tooth.

Fossa

Depression or concavity on a tooth surface.

Developmental Groove

Linear depression marking the junction of developmental lobes.

Supplemental Groove

Secondary, shallower groove branching from a developmental groove.

Pit

Small pinpoint depression often found at groove junctions.

Tubercle

Small, rounded elevation on a tooth crown caused by extra enamel.

Lobe

Primary developmental center that forms a tooth crown.

Ridge

Long, narrow elevation on the surface of a tooth.

Marginal Ridge

Raised borders on mesial and distal sides of occlusal or lingual surfaces.

Triangular Ridge

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

Transverse Ridge

Union of two triangular ridges crossing occlusal surface buccolingually.

Oblique Ridge

Union of two triangular ridges crossing occlusal surface obliquely.

Curvature of Crown

Convexity of the tooth surface that protects gingiva and disperses occlusal forces.

Proximal Contact Area

Area on mesial or distal surface where adjacent teeth touch.

Embrasure

V-shaped spillway spaces around contact areas, above or below the contact point.

Interdental Papilla

Gingival tissue that fills the cervical embrasure between adjacent teeth.

Cervical Embrasure

Void below the contact area when interdental papilla is missing, often due to recession.