Oral/Dental Anatomy Review

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms and definitions related to oral and dental anatomy, embryology, and associated structures.

Embryology

The study of the development of embryos from fertilization to birth.

Stomodeum

The primordial mouth which develops into the future oral cavity.

Brachial arch

Structures that develop into various parts of the face and neck, and are associated with specific cranial nerves.

Odontogenesis

The process of tooth development.

Enamel

The hard outer layer of the tooth, produced by ameloblasts.

Dentin

The inner layer of the tooth, under enamel, produced by odontoblasts.

Cementum

The tissue layer covering the root of a tooth.

Pulp

The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Periodontal ligament (PDL)

The connective tissue that attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone.

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint)

The joint that connects the jaw to the skull.

Trismus

Limited opening of the jaw due to muscle contraction.

Luxation

Dislocation of the jaw joint.

Salivary glands

Glands that produce saliva, aiding in digestion and oral health.

Lingual nerve

A branch of the mandibular nerve that provides sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate from the brain.

Facial expression muscles

Muscles responsible for facial movement, innervated by CN VII.

Soft Palate

The back part of the roof of the mouth that contains muscles and connective tissue.

Upper lip

The part of the mouth above the lower lip that can be affected by abnormal development of the frontal and nasal processes.