Oral Mucosa

Question 1

Identify time of development for salivary glands

Answer 1

Parotid Gland: 6th week
Submandibular Gland: 16th week
Sublingual Gland: 18th week

Question 2

Name three types of oral mucosa and their location, function and histology in the oral cavity

Answer 2

Lining Mucosa
Masticatory Mucosa
Specialized Mucosa

Question 3

Keratin

Answer 3

intermediate protein filament that is found in calloused epithelial tissues and consists of an opaque waterproof substance

Question 4

Nonkeratinized

Answer 4

most common epithelial tissue type in oral cavity (lining mucosa); ability to produce keratin after trauma (cheek bite, linea alba);

Question 5

Keratinized

Answer 5

either orthokeratinized or parakeratinized); found on hard palate, attached gingiva, dorsal surface of tongue

Question 6

Orthokeratinized

Answer 6

surface cells do not have nuclei like a donut with no cells

Question 7

Parakeratinized

Answer 7

surface cells have nuclei

Question 8

What are the types of papillae on tongue?

Answer 8

Filiform
Fungiform
Foliate
Circumvallate

Question 9

Describe the functions and components of saliva in the oral cavity

Answer 9

Functions:
Lubricates
Cleanses
Digestion (salivary amylase -> starch breakdown) 
Buffers acid 
Remineralization of enamel
Pellicle formation-> plaque 
Supplies minerals for calculus formation

Question 10

Differentiate between types of saliva

Answer 10

Salivary contents/type vary depending on gland and type of secretory cell present

• Serous: produces watery saliva
• Mucous: produces thick/ropy saliva (mucous)
• Mucoserous: mixed production

Question 11

Compare and contrast major versus minor salivary glands in regards to production, location, pathology, and duct associated with each

Answer 11

• Parotid- Mostly Serous-Largest encapsulated- located opposite maxillary second molar on buccal mucoas- stensons duct
• Sublingual - mixed mostly mucous-opens at same area as submandibular-smallest no capsule- Bartholin’s duct
• Submandibular-mixed/mostly serous-Intermediate size, encapsulated-opens near lingual frenum on FOM-sublingual carruncle-Wharton’s duct

Question 12

Describe reasons for xerostomia, the oral ramifications, and treatment options.

Answer 12

Dry Mouth
CAUSES:
-Medications
-Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers
-Immunologic disease particularly Sjogren’s syndrome

ORAL RAMIFICATIONS:
Sore or burning sensation of the mouth
Dry, itchy eyes
Need to suck on candies
Need to sip water throughout the day and night
Difficulty speaking for more than 10 mins without drinking water
Difficulty swallowing food at mealtime and need to often drink water to swallow food

Treatment:

• Patient will need more meticulous home care approach and more frequent dental visits
• Increase flossing
• electric toothbrush
• custom fluoride trays or gel prevident
• chlorhexidine rinse

Question 13

Thyroid Gland

Answer 13

• Largest endocrine gland, located on the anterior of the neck inferior to the thyroid cartilage
• In healthy patients the thyroid is mobile and moves superiorly when swallowing, not visible but able to palpate

Question 14

4-8 endocrine glands that sit on top of or even in the thyroid, not visible or able to palpate, may be part of the pathology

Answer 14

Parathyroid Gland

Question 15

Paired exocrine glands that secrete lacrimal fluid (tears)
Lubricate eyes
8-12 tubules that excrete lacrimal fluid
Tears drain inferiorly into the nasolacrimal sac just behind the medial canthus nasolacrimal duct
Finally drains into the inferior nasal meatus (why your nose runs when you cry)

Answer 15

Lacrimal Glands

Question 16

functions of oral mucosa

Answer 16

Mechanical Barrier
Bacterial Barrier
Taste
Healing (7-21 days)

Question 17

Lining mucosa location & histology

Answer 17

LOCATION: buccal mucosa, labial mucosa, alveolar mucosa, floor of mouth (FOM), ventral tongue surface, soft palate

HISTOLOGY: nonkeratinzed stratified squamous epithelium

Question 18

Masticatory mucosa location & histology

Answer 18

LOCATION: attached gingiva, hard palate, and dorsal tongue surface
HISTOLOGY: keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Question 19

Specialized mucosa location and histology

Answer 19

LOCATION: dorsal surface of tongue
HISTOLOGY: differs depending on what type of papilla or tissue section you are viewing

Question 20

Filiform papillae function & location

Answer 20

FUNCTION: most numerous type of lingual papillae; very fine in texture, give the tongue a velvety texture (no taste buds); on body

Question 21

Fungiform papillae function & location

Answer 21

FUNCTION:mushroom-shaped small red dots; associated with taste buds; on body

Question 22

Foliate papillae function & location

Answer 22

FUNCTION: 4-11 vertical ridges on the lateral, posterior borders of the tongue; associated with taste buds

Question 23

Circumvallate papillae function & location

Answer 23

FUNCTION: 7-15 large, raised, mushroom-shaped papillae just anterior to the sulcus terminalis; associated with taste buds; Von Ebner’s salivary glands (flush the area near the taste pores)