Week 1 Dental Anatomy

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards covering landmarks of the face, divisions of the oral cavity, mucosal tissues, tongue structures, and palatal anatomy based on lecture notes.

Nares

The nostrils located inferior to the apex of each side of the nose, separated by the midline nasal septum.

Alae

Wing-like cartilage structures bounding the nostrils on either side.

Vermilion border

The transition area and outline marking the edge of the upper and lower lips from surrounding facial skin.

Philtrum

The vertical divot or groove located at the midline directly between the nose and the upper lip.

Tubercle

A small, slightly swollen projection located at the center of the upper lip.

Labial commissures

The corners on either side of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet.

Maxilla

The upper jaw bone that holds the top teeth; it is the largest bone in the face.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone holding the bottom teeth; it is the longest, strongest, and only movable bone in the skull.

Nasolabial sulcus

A groove running on either side of the face starting near the nose and extending down toward the lips.

Labiomental groove

A horizontal groove running across the lower face that separates the lower lip from the chin.

Labial marginal sulcus

A facial groove extending from the corners of the lips.

Oral vestibules

Horseshoe-shaped spaces between the inner lips/cheeks and the alveolar processes holding the teeth.

Buccal surface

The surface of teeth or oral structures positioned closest to the inner cheek.

Labial surface

The surface of teeth or oral structures positioned closest to the lips.

Lingual surface

The surface of teeth or oral structures positioned closest to the tongue.

Palatal surface

The surface of maxillary teeth or structures positioned closest to the palate.

Buccal mucosa

The mucous membrane covering the inside lining of the cheek.

Parotid papilla

A raised flap or bump of tissue on the buccal mucosa across from the maxillary first molar that protects the opening of the parotid gland.

Stinson's duct

The duct opening located at the parotid papilla that drains saliva from the parotid gland.

Mucobuccal fold

The fold formed where the buccal or labial mucosa meets the thinner alveolar mucosa at the base of the vestibule.

Frenums

Folds of tissue located at the midline and near the canines connecting the lip/cheek mucosa to the alveolar mucosa.

Fordyce spots

Normal, benign, tiny yellowish fatty deposits located in the buccal mucosa.

Linea alba

A normal white callus-like line running horizontally on the buccal mucosa along the occlusal plane.

Maxillary tuberosity

A rounded bony prominence located directly behind the last maxillary tooth.

Retromolar pad

A dense pad of tissue located on the lower jaw directly behind the last mandibular tooth.

Alveolus

The individual tooth socket located within the alveolar bone.

Periodontal ligaments

Fibrous connective tissues attaching the tooth root to the surrounding alveolus, acting as shock absorbers.

Mucogingival junction

The scalloped line of demarcation separating the attached gingiva from the redder alveolar mucosa.

Free gingiva

The unattached marginal gingiva surrounding the neck of the tooth, forming a collar or turtleneck shape.

Interdental papilla

Gingival tissue filling the space between two adjacent teeth, normally having a pyramidal shape.

Fauces

The posterior opening leading from the oral cavity proper into the throat or pharynx.

Palatine rugae

Wavy folds or ridges of tissue located on the anterior portion of the hard palate.

Median palatine raphe

A central ridge or line running down the midline of the hard palate.

Incisive papilla

A small bulge of tissue located on the hard palate directly behind the maxillary central incisors.

Fovea palatine

Tiny pit-like openings located near the junction of the hard and soft palates associated with palatine glands.

Palatal tori

Benign bony overgrowths located along the midline of the hard palate.

Dorsal surface

The top side of the tongue, covered in papillae and acting as the primary organ of taste.

Ventral surface

The smooth underside of the tongue where blood vessels are visibly distinct.

Fungiform papillae

Small, circular, dot-like taste papillae located on the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Filiform papillae

Hair-like projections covering the main dorsal surface of the tongue.

Foliate papillae

Vertical slit-like papillae resembling air conditioner vents located on the lateral borders of the tongue.

Circumvallate papillae

8 to 12 large, circular papillae arranged in a V-shaped line near the base of the tongue.

Plica fimbriata

Fringed folds of tissue found on the ventral surface of the tongue on either side of the lingual frenum.

Lingual frenum

A fold of tissue connecting the ventral surface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Sublingual caruncle

A small papilla located at the anterior end of the sublingual fold beneath the tongue containing salivary gland duct openings.

Wharton's duct

The duct opening associated with the submandibular gland located at the sublingual caruncle on the floor of the mouth.