Oral cavities
Oral cavity refers to the mouth, a complex structure that forms the beginning of the digestive system and plays a crucial role in the respiratory system. It is bounded by the lips, cheeks, palate, and floor of the mouth and contains the teeth, tongue, and openings of the salivary glands.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The oral cavity is divided into two parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper. The vestibule is the area between the lips and cheeks externally, and the teeth and gums internally. The oral cavity proper lies behind the teeth and gums and is bounded at the rear by the oropharynx.
Teeth[edit | edit source]
The teeth are vital for the mechanical breakdown of food, facilitating digestion. Humans typically have two sets of teeth in their lifetime: deciduous (or baby) teeth and permanent teeth.
Tongue[edit | edit source]
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that is covered with a moist, pink tissue called mucosa. It is anchored to the mouth by webs of tough tissue and mucous membranes. The tongue is vital for chewing and swallowing food, as well as for speech.
Salivary Glands[edit | edit source]
The salivary glands produce saliva, which begins the process of digestion of starches and also lubricates the mouth during speech and eating, making it easier to chew and swallow food.
Functions[edit | edit source]
The oral cavity has several functions, including:
- Digestion: The oral cavity initiates the digestion process through mechanical breakdown of food by the teeth and chemical breakdown by enzymes in the saliva.
- Speech: The movement of the tongue and lips, and the flow of air through the mouth, are essential for articulation.
- Respiration: The oral cavity is a secondary route for the intake and expulsion of air.
- Sensory: The mouth contains taste buds on the tongue and is sensitive to touch, temperature, and pain, providing sensory feedback.
Health and Diseases[edit | edit source]
The health of the oral cavity is vital for overall well-being. Common conditions affecting the oral cavity include:
- Dental caries (tooth decay)
- Gingivitis and periodontitis (gum diseases)
- Oral cancer
- Candidiasis (a fungal infection)
- Herpes simplex (a viral infection)
Preventive care, such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, is essential to maintain oral health.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD