Intro to the Oral Cavity Flashcards
Name each part of the oral cavity?
Lips, cheeks, soft/hard palate, gingivae, tongue, floor of mouth, teeth, larynx, pharynx and epiglottis
Explain the role of the lips?
Used as an exploratory area in babies, and also contain salivary glands. Help to keep teeth in position
What is the muscle surrounding the lips? and it’s function?
Orbicularis oris, it is very strong and counteracts the tongue’s thrust
Why do the cheeks suffer less infection than the teeth?
Due to desquamation, as bacteria can stick onto the surface of teeth
What is the oral mucosa?
The lining of the mouth
What is the gingivae?
The part of the oral mucosa covering the bone
Name the parts of the gingivae?(free and attached)***
Gingival sulcusFree gingivaFree gingival grooveAttached gingivaMucogingival junctionAlveolar mucosa
Where is the hard palate located?
Roof of the mouth (towards the front)
What is the function and location of the rugae?
apart of the hard palate.for mastication and suckling in infants
Where is the soft palate located?
Roof of the mouth (towards the back)
Name the part associated with the soft palate and the function of the palate?
Uvula (raised and lowered for speech)Important for swallowing
The functions of the tongue?
Fills space bounded by teeth when mouth closedTaste buds for taste
What is the cord called underneath the tongue?
The Frenulum
What does the floor of the mouth mainly contain?
Major salivary glands and blood vessels (covered by a thin epithelium)
The structural role and function of the pharynx?
Makes up the posterior wall of the oral cavityActive in the digestive and respiratory processes
What is the anatomical crown?
The part of the tooth that is covered by enamel.
What is the clinical crown?
The part of the tooth that is clinically visible.
What are the surfaces of the teeth?
MesialDistalBuccalLingualPalatalOcclusal
What surface faces towards the cheek?
Buccal
What surface contacts the opposing teeth in the jaw?
Occlusal
What surface faces towards the tongue?
Lingual
What surface faces towards the palate?
Palatal
What surface faces towards the midline?
Mesial
What surfaces faces away from the midline?
Distal
What is the biting edge of a incisor called?
Incisal edges
What is the name of the part of the crown nearest to the gum called?
Cervical margin
What are the 4 types of teeth?
Incisors, canines, premolars and molars
What is the function of incisors?
Slicing or incising
What is the function of the canines?
Tearing
What is the function of the premolars and molars?
Grinding and mashing
What are the basic components of teeth?
Enamel, dentine and pulp
Where is the enamel found?
Covers the crown of the tooth
What is the hardest tissue in the body?
Enamel
What makes the enamel perfect for its role?
It has no blood or nerve supply (non-vital)
How is enamel formed
Amelogenesis
What is the 2nd layer of the tooth?
Dentine
How does the Dentine and Enamel differ?
Mineralised and has a blood and nerve supplyCapable of growth and repairCovers the root surface
How is the dentine formed?
Dentinogenesis
What is the pulp?
A mass of blood vessels and nerves which make up centre of tooth.
What is the pulp connected to?
Connect with the major nerves and vessels of the head and neck.
The name given to inflammed pulp?
Pulpitis
What is the periodontium, and its associated structures
It surrounds the tooth and consists of 4 structures:GingivaPeriodontal ligamentAlveolar boneCementum
What is the function of the periodontium?
Attachment of teeth to the jaws.Effective support during masticatory function
Signs of healthy gingiva?
Firm, pale pink and stippledWith no blood on probing
What is the function of the gingiva?
Provides attachment between the oral mucous membrane & the teeth.Prevents bacterial invasion of the underlying periodontal tissues.
Where is the periodontal ligament found?
Between the cementum and the alveolar bone
What is the periodontal ligament formed from?
Specialized vascular connective tissue.Fibrous attachment of the tooth (collagen based).
What is the function of the periodontal ligament?
Gives functional adaptation of the tooth in the bony socket under functional demands.
Ageing’s affect on the periodontal ligament?
Progressively decreases in width with age,also changes with functional demands and any pathological process
What is the cementum?
A specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the anatomic root of a tooth, giving attachment to the periodontal ligament. Derives nutrition from the ligament
What is the alveolar bone and its function?
Specialised bone that supports the teeth. Develops with the dentition and resorbs with loss of the dentition.
