Upper GI tract organs/structures

Mouth (oral cavity)

Hard palate, soft palate, uvula, tongue

Hard palate

bone; forms most of the roof of mouth

Soft palate

muscular; forms the remainder of the roof of the mouth

Uvula

projection of the soft palate, prevents food/liquids from entering nasal cavity

Tongue function

manipulates food, teeth grinds it, food is mixed with saliva —> forms bolus

Mucosal Membrane

found lining body cavities that are open to the environment

Tongue

Skeletal Muscle covered with mucus membrane

forms floor of the oral cavity

Lingual frenulum

Labial frenulum

Papilla

Lingual Frenulum

fold in mucus membrane, anchors tongue to floor of mouth

Labial Frenulum

Fold that tethers lips to gums

Papilla

bumps or projections of lamina propria found on the surface of the tongue some contain chemoreceptors called taste buds, some don’t

Fungiform papillae

tip and lateral margins

Foliate papillae

side of base of tongue

Circumvallate papillae

largest (8-12)

Filiform papillae

most numerous, no taste buds, used for grip

Teeth

found in sockets within alveolar processes of mandible/maxilla

Periodontal Ligament

dense connective tissue; anchors tooth to socket

Cementum

bonelike substance that attaches the root to the periodontal ligament

Crown

portion visible above gingivae

Roots

portion embedded within socket

Dentin

calcified connective tissue, similar to bone (more calcium); gives teeth shape and rigidity

Pulp cavity/root canal

space enclosed by dentin, contain nerves and blood vessels

enamel

covers dentin of crown, extremely hard, resistant to wear and acidity

First set of teeth

Deciduous teeth, start coming in at 6 months, 1 pair per month until all 20 arrive

Second set of teeth

Permanent teeth; 32 total; age 6 to adulthood

Incisors

chisel shaped, cut food, emerge first, 4 front teeth

Canines/cuspids

pointed surface/tear and shred, next to incisors

Deciduous molars

crushing and grinding, becomes bicuspids, 4 back teeth

Premolars/bicuspids

crushing/grinding; replace deciduous molars

Permanent molar

do not replace any teeth, 6 teeth in back of mouth, last 2 are wisdom teeth

Pharynx

back of the oral cavity; division into trachea and esophagus

Epiglottis

cartilage; covers opening to trachea

3 Sections of epiglottis

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx/hypopharynx

Esophageal Hiatus

opening in the diaphragm

Peristalsis

series of contractions by smooth muscles lining walls

mucus secreted by esophageal glands lubricates bolus/reduces friction

Lower esophageal sphincter

separates stomach from esophagus, if damaged caused emesis