Oral cavity and tongue

Question 1

List 3 functions of the oral cavity

Answer 1

1. mechanical/chemical digestion (start of the GI tract)
2. Respiration - upper respiratory tract allows flow of air into the body and humidified
3. Speech - movement of lips, oral cavity and tongue modify sounds produced by the vocal cords.

Question 2

what two types of chemical digestion occurs in the mouth?

Answer 2

1. breakdown of carbohydrates into sugars by salivary amylase
2. Lingual lipase begins the breakdown of fats

Question 3

How is mechanical digestion occur in the mouth

Answer 3

Cheek and lips - keep food within the oral cavity
tongue - moves food around the mouth
Teeth - cut tear and break down food

Question 4

What is the upper surface of the tongue called?

Answer 4

Dorsum of the tongue

Question 5

What is the tip of the tongue called?

Answer 5

Apex of the tongue

Question 6

What is the lingual frenulum

Answer 6

A thin band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth

Question 7

What is the function of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue

Answer 7

Intrinsic muscles - responsible for the tongues shape and size
Extrinsic muscles - responsible for position of tongue in the oral cavity

Question 8

What bones is the hard palate made from?

Answer 8

Palatine process of the maxilla bone + horizontal plate of palatine bone

Question 9

Where is the soft palate found?

Answer 9

continuation of the hard palate, posterior 3rd of the palate, flexible (moves superiorly when swallowing to close off the nasopharynx)

Question 10

What are the tongue papillae

Answer 10

Little bumps on the dorsum of the tongue that contain taste buds innervated by taste receptors

Question 11

Name the 3 pairs of major salivary glands

Answer 11

1. Parotid glands
2. Submandibular glands
3. Sublingual glands

Question 12

List 4 functions of saliva

Answer 12

1. Aids swallowing by lubricating food
2. Digestive function - contains enzymes
3. Helps in speech
4. immune function by containing lysosymes which support oral health

Question 13

Give 4 ways in which salivation is stimulated?

Answer 13

1. Parasympathetic innervation promotes constant secretion of moderate amount.
2. Touch and taste of food stimulate secretion
3. memory, smell
4. irritating foods/nausea

Question 14

Name the three types of teeth we have

Answer 14

1. incisors
2. canines
3. molars

Question 15

What cell type lines the oral cavity

Answer 15

Stratified squamous epithelium

Question 16

What is the oral cavity vestibule

Answer 16

This is the area between the teeth, cheeks, gums and lips.

Question 17

what is the name of the structure that divides the tongue in two?

Answer 17

Median septum

Question 17

Name the 3 types of taste papillae and where are they found:

Answer 17

1. Circumvallate - posterior 3rd
2. Folliate - lateral
3. Fungiform - anterior 3rd