Oral Cavity Anatomy and Terminology

Initial shock of looking at someone's mouth is normal and something you'll get used to.
Proper infection control is crucial; use hand coverings, hair coverings, and masks.

The book goes into extensive detail, but the course will focus on essential knowledge.
Core concepts of four classes are condensed into a ten-week course.

Lips: Anterior border of the oral cavity.
Palate: Roof of the mouth divided into two sections:
- Hard Palate: Pale white color, tissue tightly attached to bone.
- Soft Palate: Redder color, no bone above, can move.
- Uvula: Appendage hanging down.
Pillars/Arches: Formed by muscles that aid in swallowing and speaking.
- Examples: pterygomandibular fold (pterygoid bone to mandible), palatoglossal (palate to tongue), palatopharyngeal (palate to pharynx).
Tonsils: Often located between these folds; sometimes called adenomas.

Beginning of both the digestive and respiratory systems.
Unique for multitasking but can lead to aspiration (food/liquids entering the trachea/lungs).
Aspiration can cause life-threatening lung infections/pneumonia, especially in elderly individuals.
Respiratory system includes the nose and nasal cavity.

Frenum: Tissue attachments from the alveolar mucosa to the inner lip.
- Maxillary frenum, Mandibular frenum. Large frenums can cause tissue recession.
- Lingual frenum can cause a "tongue-tie" (ankyloglossia), affecting speech and swallowing.
Frenectomy: Surgical correction of problematic frenums.

Vermilion Zone: Transition zone between the lip and regular skin tone.
Philtrum: Indentation above the center line of the nose; common exam question.
Lateral Commissure: Angle of the mouth.
- Problems here can cause angular cheilitis (inflammation), due to yeast infection, vitamin deficiency, or ill-fitting dentures.

Normal gingiva is pink; darker skin may have pigmentation.
Melanoma concerns; pigmentation needs to be checked.
Diastema: Space between teeth, commonly between the top front teeth (8 and 9).
- A pulling frenum can create one.
- Can be fixed with braces

Pressure on teeth (from braces, frenum, lip, or tongue) can cause movement and gingival recession (gingiva moving away from teeth).
Recession can be:
- Normal (anatomical, aging).
- Caused by periodontal disease (gum disease), which is the primary cause and leads to bone dissolution and tooth loosening.

Large lingual frenum can cause "tongue-tie", also known as ankyloglossia, which can be corrected by a frenectomy.

Lingual: Inside of the arch.
Outside:
- Buccal (posterior).
- Facial or Labial (anterior).
Note: Recession is a problem as the root isn't covered with enamel, causing sensitivity.

Mandibular Tori: Bony outcroppings on the mandible (lingual tori).
Palatal Torus: Bony outcroppings on the palate.
-Usually not a problem until dentures are needed, then they must be removed