3.2 Anatomy of Mouth, Pharynx & Esophagus Flashcards
Mouth composed of what?
- Lips (opening)
- Tongue (floor)
- Cheeks (the walls)
- Hard/Soft Palate (roof)
- Uvula (posterior border)
Uvula
Process that hangs inferiorly to it’s attachment to the soft palate
Tongue
A muscle that is attached to other structures so that it can contract for movement
What is the tongue attached to?
- Hyoid bone
- Mandible
- Lingual Frenulum
Lingual Frenulum
Vertical mucous membrane where the body of the tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth
Mastication
The main job of the mouth, to break down food into smaller pieces, moisten it with saliva and move it back into the pharynx to be swallowed.
Salivary glands contains enzymes called?
Amylase - that begin chemical digestion by breaking down starches
What glands have enzymes to help break apart food?
- Parotid glands
- Submandibular glands
- Sublingual glands
Mandible
Lower jaw portion, lower arch of teeth
Maxilla
Upper jaw, upper arch of the teeth
One half of each jaw has what teeth and what are they used for?
- Two incisors (r or l central insisor, lateral incisor) - chisel shape for biting
- Canine (cuspid) - pointy for tearing
- Two Premolars (bicuspid) - flattened for grinding
- Three Molars - flat for crushing
3 main parts of a tooth?
- The crown
- Neck
- Root
Describe the Root
The largest portion of the tooth, located within the alveolar process of the jaw bone
Describe the Neck
Located within the upper portion of the gums (gingiva).
Describe the crown
The visible portion of the tooth and lies above the gun line.
Describe pulp cavity
Lies at the center of each tooth, contains nerves and blood vessels . Nerves allow for cold, hot & pain sensations.
Describe Dentin
A bone-like substance composing most of each tooth.
Describe Enamel
Located on the surface of the tooth. Very hard connective tissue that protects the rest of the tooth.
Describe the tongue
Grips food and constantly repositions it between the teeth, forming a compact mass called a BOLUS.
Tongue pushes bolus back to pharynx to start swallowing.
What is Papillae
Raised bumps on the tongue
3 types of Papillae
- Circumvallate
- Fungiforn
- Filiform
Circumvallate/Fungiform contain taste buds.
What are taste buds?
Chemical receptors that are stimulated by chemical composition of food. Found on the tongue, surface of the mouth and walls of the pharynx.
What is Pharynx (Throat) and what is it made up of?
Connects the mouth to the esophagus
1. Nasopharynx
2. Oropharynx
3. Laryngopharynx
What type of layers does the Pharynx have?
Two types of skeletal muscles:
- Circumferential (Outer Layer)
- Longitudinal (Inner Layer)
*they contract alternating causing peristalsis which squeezes food into the esophagus.
What is the Epiglottis
Flap of elastic cartilage that covers the larynx when swallowing food to prevent aspiration.
What is Aspiration
When good or liquid enter the lungs. Can cause pneumonia.
What is the Esophagus?
Extends from the pharynx to the stomach, traveling through an opening in the diaphragm on its way to the stomach. It is a muscular tube containing four layers of tissue in the same type found in the stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
What is mucosa?
The first or outermost layer of the esophagus, which secretes mucus into the interior of the gastrointestinal track. 
What is submucosa?
The second layer of the esophagus. This layer contains blood and lymph vessels, lymph nodes, nerves and mucous glands.
What is muscularis externa?
The third layer of the esophagus. Made of two layers of muscle (the outer longitudinal fibers, and the inner circumferential fibers).
What is Serosa?
The fourth and outer most layer of the esophagus. Made up of cells that make serous fluid. 
