Theory 3- Oral Cavity

What is the primary function of the oral region?

The oral region is where food is ingested and prepared for digestion in the stomach and small intestine.

What role do teeth play in the oral region?

Teeth chew food to aid in digestion.

How does saliva contribute to digestion in the oral cavity?

Saliva from salivary glands facilitates the formation of a manageable food bolus.

What is deglutition?

Deglutition, or swallowing, is voluntarily initiated in the oral cavity.

What are the two parts of the oral cavity?

The oral vestibule and the oral cavity proper.

What is the oral vestibule?

The oral vestibule is the slit-like space between teeth, gums, lips, and cheeks, communicating with the exterior through the oral fissure.

What is the function of the lips in the oral cavity?

The lips are mobile, musculofibrous folds that function as valves of the oral fissure.

What role do the cheeks play in the oral cavity?

The cheeks form the movable walls of the oral cavity and contain numerous small buccal glands.

What are gingivae?

Gingivae, or gums, are fibrous tissue covered with mucous membrane, firmly attached to the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxilla.

What are the four types of teeth and their functions?

Incisors (cutting), canines (tearing), premolars (crunching/grinding), and molars (crunching/grinding).

What forms the arched roof of the mouth?

The palate forms the arched roof of the mouth and the floor of the nasal cavities.

What is the hard palate?

The hard palate is the concave anterior portion of the palate formed by the palatine processes of maxillae and horizontal plates of palatine bones.

What is the function of the soft palate?

The soft palate elevates during swallowing to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.

Which cranial nerve primarily innervates the muscles of the soft palate?

The muscles of the soft palate are primarily innervated by cranial nerve X (CNX).

What are the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue?

Intrinsic muscles alter the shape of the tongue, while extrinsic muscles anchor the tongue to bone and alter its position.

What is the function of the lingual nerve?

The lingual nerve provides general sensation (touch, temperature) to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

What is the role of the parotid glands?

The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands, located posterior to the mandible, draining saliva into the oral vestibule.

Where are the submandibular glands located?

The submandibular glands lie internal to the mandible and drain through a single duct.

What are the sublingual glands?

The sublingual glands are the smallest salivary glands, located between the mandible and genioglossus muscle, with numerous ducts opening into the floor of the mouth.

What is the function of mucous glands in the oral cavity?

Mucous glands moisten the mucous membrane throughout the oral cavity.

What is the vascular supply to the tongue?

The lingual artery supplies the tongue, with dorsal lingual arteries supplying the root and deep lingual arteries supplying the body.

How does lymphatic drainage occur in the tongue?

Lymphatic drainage follows venous drainage and ultimately drains to deep cervical nodes.

What are the functions of saliva?

Saliva lubricates food during mastication, begins digestion of starches, and has bactericidal properties.