The Mouth And Oral Cavity Flashcards
What is the location of the mouth ?
- it is the foremost part of the gut
- links the external environment to the oral pharynx
What is the function of the mouth ?
- selects, ingests, masticates and swallows food
- respiration, speech, offence and defence
What is the anterior boundary of the mouth ?
Lips/labia
What is the posterior boundary of the mouth ?
Oral pharyngeal isthmus
What does the oral pharyngeal isthmus do ?
It links the oral cavity with the oral pharynx
What is the lateral boundary of the mouth ?
Cheeks/buccai towards the front
Retromandibular region towards the back
What is found on the floor of the mouth ?
The tongue and underneath the tongue is the oral cavity proper
What is found at the roof of the mouth ?
The hard pallet anteriorly and the soft pallet posteriorly
What type of mucosa is the labial mucosa ?
Lining mucosa
What are the 2 types of mucosa ?
1) lining mucosa - not keratinised
2) masticating mucosa - keratinised
What is the competent lip posture position ?
When a person can close their lips to form an anterior oral seal without straining the facial musculature
What type of mucosa is the buccal mucosa ?
Lining mucosa
What type of mucosa is the attached gingiva ?
Masticating mucosa
What type of organ is the tongue ?
Muscular organ
What is the functions of the tongue ?
- moves food around when chewing
- helps to select food
- swallowing
- important in speech
What is the epiglottis ?
A flap which covers the voice box
What type of mucosa is found on the ventral surface of the tongue ?
Lining mucosa
What is the function of the hard palate ?
Divides the oral cavity from the nasal cavity
What is the function of the soft palate ?
Divides the oral cavity from the nasal pharynx
What type of mucosa is found on the palate ?
Masticating mucosa
Which nerve does the submucosa found behind the molars contain ?
Greater palatine nerve
What is the role of the transverse palatine suture ?
It separates the palatine processes of the maxillary bone from the horizontal plates of the palatine bone
What is the function of the soft palate ?
It elevates when you swallow to stop food entering the nasal area
What is the boundary between the hard and soft palate ?
- vibrating line
- soft palate slightly yellower in colour
What is the linea alba ?
White lines running across the buccal mucosa
It is an area of masticating mucosa
What are fordyce spots ?
Ectopic sebaceous glands
Yellow spots which may appear after puberty
Where is the opening of the parotid duct ?
It usually opens adjacent to the upper second molar
What is gingival fibromatosis ?
When the gums have overgrown the teeth because -
- the patient may have taken epinutin
- may be hereditary
What is an epulis ?
Extra tissue in the mouth
What is nicotine stomatitis ?
Inflammation due to smoking
What is torus palatinus ?
A bony addition to the hard palate
What is tongue tie ?
When the lingual frenum has grown and attached to the attached gingiva
