Anatomy and Dental Terminology Glossary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering human anatomy, histology, and dental morphology based on the 10 lecture chapters.

Anatomy

Scientific study of the shape and structure of the human body.

Physiology

Study of the functions of the human body structures.

Axial Division

Body region consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

Body region comprising the upper and lower limbs (legs and arms).

Midsagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Sagittal Plane

Any vertical plane dividing the body into unequal left and right portions.

Frontal / Coronal Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity located at the back containing the cranial and spinal cavities.

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity located at the front containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Stem Cells

Immature, unspecialized cells capable of differentiating into specialized cells and tissues.

Cell Membrane

Outer boundary surrounding the cell that regulates entry and exit of substances.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like fluid inside the cell containing organelles.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell containing genetic material ($RNA$ / $DNA$).

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue covering external body surfaces and lining internal cavities and glands.

Connective Tissue

Major supporting fabric connecting and supporting other tissues and organs.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement (cardiac, skeletal, smooth).

Nerve Tissue

Tissue that conducts electrical impulses to coordinate and control body functions.

Cranium

Eight-bone structure enclosing and protecting the brain.

Mandible

Strongest, longest, and only movable bone of the face.

Maxilla

Paired bones forming the upper jaw, palate, and floor of the orbits.

Zygomatic Bones

Paired bones forming the cheekbones.

Coronal Suture

Joint uniting the frontal bone with the parietal bones.

Sagittal Suture

Midline joint connecting the two parietal bones.

Mental Foramen

Opening on the anterior surface of the mandible for nerves and vessels.

Temporomandibular (TMJ) Joint

Joint enabling mandibular movement for speech and chewing.

Glenoid Fossa

Depression on temporal bone articulating with mandibular condyle.

Hyoid Bone

U-shaped bone suspended in the neck supporting the tongue.

Masseter Muscle

Strong muscle of mastication that raises the mandible to close the mouth.

Orbicularis Oris

Muscle surrounding the lips used to pucker and close the mouth.

Buccinator Muscle

Principal cheek muscle compressing the cheeks against teeth.

External Carotid Artery

Main artery supplying blood to the face and oral cavity.

Facial Artery

Branch supplying the pharynx, facial muscles, lips, and palate.

Trigeminal Nerve ($CN\,V$)

Main sensory nerve for head/teeth, and motor nerve for mastication.

Inferior Alveolar Nerve

Mandibular branch innervating mandibular teeth, gingiva, and chin.

Parotid Gland

Largest salivary gland; secretes saliva via Stenson’s duct.

Submandibular Gland

Salivary gland releasing saliva via Wharton’s duct.

Sublingual Gland

Smallest major salivary gland; secretes via Bartholin’s duct.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled cavities within skull bones including Maxillary, Frontal, Ethmoid, and Sphenoid.

Lymphadenopathy

Enlargement or swelling of lymph nodes due to infection or disease.

Philtrum

Vertical groove running from the base of the nose to upper lip midline.

Tragus

Cartilaginous flap anterior to the external ear canal.

Vestibule

Space between teeth/gingiva and inner lining of lips/cheeks.

Oral Cavity Proper

Inner oral area enclosed by the dental arches.

Frenum

Fold of mucous membrane connecting fixed structures to movable tissues.

Attached Gingiva

Firmly bound mucosal tissue extending from sulcus to mucogingival junction.

Incisive Papilla

Pear-shaped tissue pad covering incisive foramen behind upper centrals.

Hard Palate

Anterior bony portion of the roof of the mouth.

Soft Palate

Posterior flexible muscular portion ending in the uvula.

Odontogenesis

Process of tooth development.

Initiation Stage

First stage of tooth development where the dental lamina forms.

Cap Stage

Stage where tooth germ organizes into enamel organ, papilla, and sac.

Bell Stage

Stage forming specialized ameloblasts and odontoblasts.

Ameloblasts

Specialized cells responsible for enamel formation.

Odontoblasts

Specialized cells responsible for dentin formation.

Cementoblasts

Cells responsible for cementum formation.

Osteoblasts

Cells responsible for bone formation.

Osteoclasts

Cells responsible for bone resorption.

Enamel

Hardest tissue in the human body covering the anatomic crown.

Dentin

Main mineralized body of the tooth surrounding the pulp cavity.

Cementum

Bone-like connective tissue covering the anatomic root.

Pulp Cavity

Central vascular and nervous tissue space of the tooth.

Anatomic Crown

Portion of the tooth covered by enamel.

Clinical Crown

Portion of the tooth visible in the oral cavity above gum line.

Periodontium

Supporting structures of the tooth: cementum, $PDL$, gingiva, and alveolar bone.

Periodontal Ligament ($PDL$)

Fibrous tissue connecting cementum to alveolar bone.

Deciduous Dentition

First set of $20$ teeth in children; also called primary dentition.

Permanent Dentition

Secondary set of $32$ adult teeth.

Succedaneous Teeth

Permanent teeth replacing primary predecessors, specifically incisors, canines, and premolars.

Incisors

Single-rooted teeth designed for cutting food.

Canines / Cuspids

Strongest teeth with single cusps designed for tearing food.

Premolars / Bicuspids

Transition teeth in permanent dentition designed for crushing food.

Molars

Multi-cusped, multi-rooted teeth designed for grinding food.

Cusp of Carabelli

Fifth cusp on mesiolingual surface of maxillary first molars.

Mamelons

Three rounded protuberances on incisal edge of new incisors.

Cingulum

Convex bulge on cervical third of lingual surface of anterior teeth.

Occlusion

Contact relationship between maxillary and mandibular teeth when jaws close.

Centric Occlusion

Maximal intercuspation of teeth when jaws are at rest.

Malocclusion

Abnormal contact positioning between upper and lower dental arches.

Angle’s Classification

System categorizing occlusion into Class $I$, Class $II$, and Class $III$.

Embrasures

V-shaped spillway spaces between proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth.

Height of Contour

Widest point or area of greatest convexity on a tooth surface.

Proximal Surface

Surface of a tooth facing toward an adjacent tooth in the same arch.