313 - Oral anatomy

Question 1

What is the soft palate and its function?

Answer 1

A flap of soft tissue attached to the back of the hard palate. It seals off the oral cavity from the nasal cavity during swallowing.

Question 2

What are the main functions of the tongue?

Answer 2

Speech
Taste
Aids mastication/swallowing
Cleansing

Question 3

2 main disorders of the tongue

Answer 3

Glossitis (soreness and inflammation of the tongue)

Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing)

Question 4

How does the deciduous/primary dentition differ from the secondary set?

Answer 4

The primary dentition only has 2 molars as opposed to 3 and no pre-molars present

Question 5

What is enamel?

Answer 5

A highly calcified tissue covering the whole crown of the tooth - the hardest substance in the body

Question 6

What is dentine?

Answer 6

A less calcified tissue than enamel, which forms the inner bulk of the crown and root.

Question 7

What is the cementum?

Answer 7

A thin calcified covering of the root dentine only

Question 8

What is the pulp?

Answer 8

The inner neurovascular tissue of the tooth, within the central pulp chamber

Question 9

What is the ADJ?

Answer 9

Amelodentinal junction - the junction/boundary between the enamel and dentine layers

Question 10

What are the cells called that form enamel?

Answer 10

Ameloblast Cells - these lie at the ADJ

Question 11

What are the cells called that form dentine?

Answer 11

Odontoblast cells

Question 12

How many teeth are there in a deciduous set?

Answer 12

20 teeth

Question 13

How many roots in deciduous upper molars?

Answer 13

Three

Question 14

How many roots in deciduous lower molars?

Answer 14

Two

Question 15

How many roots in upper and lower deciduous incisors and canines?

Answer 15

One

Question 16

How many teeth in a permanent set?

Answer 16

32 teeth, 16 in each jaw

Question 17

Number of roots on upper and lower permanent incisors, canines and premolars?

Answer 17

One, except the upper first premolar which has 2 roots.

Question 18

Number of roots on all upper permanent molars?

Answer 18

Three

Question 19

Number of roots on all lower permanent molars?

Answer 19

Two

Question 20

What age do permanent teeth begin erupting?

Answer 20

Around 6 years, all except the 3rd molars should be present by 13 years.

Question 21

What age do deciduous teeth begin erupting?

Answer 21

Around 6 months and should all be present by about 29 months.

Question 22

What is the alveolar bone?

Answer 22

Specialised ridge of bone over the bony arch of each jaw, where the teeth sit in their sockets

Question 23

What is the periodontal ligament?

Answer 23

Connective tissue attachment between the tooth and the alveolar bone

Question 24

What is the alveolar process?

Answer 24

The horseshoe shaped ridge of bone of the mandible and maxilla

Question 25

What are the 3 main salivary glands?

Answer 25

Parotid
Submandibular
Sublingual

Question 26

Where are the 3 salivary glands located?

Answer 26

Parotid - between the ramus of the mandible and the ear
Submandibular - posterior area of the floor of the mouth
Sublingual - in the anterior area of the floor of the mouth

Question 27

Which salivary gland is affected by the viral infection mumps?

Answer 27

Parotid

Question 28

Causes of xerostomia?

Answer 28

Irradiation - usually radiotherapy

Medications - diuretics