Soft tissues of the mouth

Question 1

Epithelial membrane

Answer 1

The whole mouth lined with epithelial mucosal tissue as a type of mucous membrane, which is continuous with that lining the digestive tract. Throughout the oral cavity there are 3 types of this membrane.

Question 2

Where is Lining membrane found?

Answer 2

covers inner surfaces of the cheeks, lips, floor of mouth, underside of tongue, soft palate

Question 3

Appearance of lining membrane

Answer 3

appears as red, smooth + moist membrane, which can be squashed + stretched
contains minor salivary glands

Question 4

Functions of lining membrane

Answer 4

provides a physical barrier between anything entering the mouth + deep structures of oral cavity, acts as a cushion, provides lubrication + cleansing

Question 5

Where is Masticatory membrane found?

Answer 5

Covers gingivae, topside + edges of tongue, hard palate

Question 6

Appearance of masticatory membrane

Answer 6

appears as red, moist membrane, often ridged or stippled, firmly attached to underlying structures - forms the mucoperiosteum where it lies over the alveolar process

Question 7

Functions of masticatory membrane

Answer 7

provides a hard-wearing surface that prevents traumatic damage from food, chemicals, oral hygiene products etc

Question 8

Where is specialised membrane found?

Answer 8

interspersed throughout the masticatory membrane covering of the topside + edges of the tongue

Question 9

Appearance of specialised membrane

Answer 9

appear as discrete papillary structures of taste buds in a visible pattern over the tongue

Question 10

Functions of specialised membrane

Answer 10

provides taste sensation

Question 11

Other points

Answer 11

the space between the posterior teeth + mucous membrane lining is buccal sulcus + that between the anterior teeth + lips is labial sulcus.

Question 12

The upper lip

Answer 12

is attached to centre of the gingiva above central incisors by a band of fibrous tissue called frenum, + when this attachment is thicker than usual, there is often a space created between two incisor teeth called a median diastema

Question 13

Soft palate

Answer 13

a flap of soft tissue attached to the back of the hard palate. its function is to seal off oral cavity from nasal cavity during swallowing - to prevent food passing up into the nose

Question 14

Soft palate

Answer 14

the free edges of soft palate has a central prolongation called the uvula. to either side of this area at the back of mouth, called the oropharynx, lie the tonsils which appear as small ball like structures with a pitted surface