Anatomy and Function of the Human Digestive System: Oral Cavity, Teeth, and Palate

Alimentary canal

Continuous tube from mouth to anus.

Accessory organs

Assist but food does not pass through them.

Oral cavity

Entry point for digestion, also known as the mouth.

Lips

Form the opening to the oral cavity and guide food intake.

labi/o, cheil/o

Medical terms for lips.

Mouth

The oral cavity as a whole and the beginning of the alimentary canal.

or/o, stomat/o

Medical terms for mouth.

Hard Palate

Anterior roof of the mouth, covered with mucous membrane and irregular ridges (rugae).

palat/o

Medical term for palate.

Soft Palate

Flexible posterior part of the palate that moves to close off nasal passage during swallowing.

Uvula

Small projection hanging from soft palate that assists with swallowing, speech, and closing off the nasal cavity during swallowing.

uvul/o

Medical term for uvula.

Baby teeth; 20 teeth.

Primary dentition

Adult teeth; 32 teeth.

Permanent dentition

Dentition

Arrangement of teeth.

Mastication

First step of mechanical digestion where teeth break food into smaller pieces.

Bolus

Rounded mass of chewed food formed during mastication.