Terminology

Question 1

Alveolar Socket

Answer 1

The bony socket in the jaw occupied by the tooth and periodontal ligament.

Question 2

Apical

Answer 2

Relating to the area of tooth closer to the roots.

Question 3

Bolus

Answer 3

A ball of food that has been chewed and mixed with saliva and is ready for swallowing.

Question 4

Buccal

Answer 4

Relating to the cheek, next to the buckle of the bridle/halter.

Question 5

Cap

Answer 5

Remnant of the deciduous tooth that covers an erupting permanent cheek tooth and is later shed.

Question 6

Caudal

Answer 6

Towards the tail/posterior end, the ‘back face’ of the tooth.

Question 7

Cheeks

Answer 7

Lateral boundaries of the oral cavity.

Question 8

Commisures

Answer 8

Junction between upper and lower lip at the angle of mouth.

Question 9

Crown

Answer 9

A section of tooth sitting above the gum line.

Question 10

Deciduous Teeth

Answer 10

The first dentition: milk teeth.

Question 11

Dental Arcade

Answer 11

The arrangement of all the cheek teeth and associated tissues in any one of the dental quadrants of the horse.

Question 12

Distal

Answer 12

Relating to the direction away from the midline of the mouth.

Question 13

Eruption of Tooth

Answer 13

The process of movement of tooth from the alveolus into the oral cavity.

Question 14

Halitosis

Answer 14

Bad breath.

Question 15

Labial

Answer 15

Towards the lips of the equine, the ‘fronts’ of the incisors facing the lips.

Question 16

Lateral

Answer 16

Away from the median plane of teeth. Opposite of medial.

Question 17

Lingual

Answer 17

Relating to the tongue.

Question 18

Malocclusion

Answer 18

A set of teeth that are out of alignment.

Question 19

Mandibular

Answer 19

The lower jaw.

Question 20

Maxillary

Answer 20

The upper jaw.

Question 21

Medial

Answer 21

Relating to the direction towards the midline of the mouth. Opposite of lateral.

Question 22

Occlusal

Answer 22

The surface of the tooth that meets another tooth opposite. Also called the ‘table surface’.

Question 23

Occlusion

Answer 23

Surface to surface contact between opposing teeth.

Question 24

Oral Cavity

Answer 24

Area extending from the alveolar ridge and teeth to the oral pharynx.

Question 25

Palatal

Answer 25

Pertaining to the palate or roof of the mouth.

Question 26

Periodontal Ligament

Answer 26

Tough fibres which secure the cement on the periphery of the tooth to the bony alveolus; acts as a shock absorbers to dampen occlusal pressures.

Question 27

Proximal

Answer 27

Plane of direction- situated close to the centre of the body, the median plane.

Question 28

Quadrant

Answer 28

One fourth of the dentition. The four quadrants are divided into he right and left, maxillary and mandibular.

Question 29

Quidding

Answer 29

The act of dropping partially chewed food from the mouth.

Question 30

Reserve Crown

Answer 30

A section of the tooth sitting below the gum line.

Question 31

Rostral

Answer 31

Towards the nose, the ‘front face’ of the tooth.

Question 32

TEMPAROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ)

Answer 32

The articulation between the head of the mandible and temporal bones, a combined hinge and gliding joint.

Question 33

TRANSVERSE RIDGES

Answer 33

Each molar should naturally have two ridges to allow the horse to chew its food. These occur perpendicular to the horses tooth on the occlusal surface of the tooth, creating an uneven wear to increase surface area.

Question 34

Ventral

Answer 34

Opposite of dorsal. Plane of direction- which is below.