The Mouth and Buccal Cavity: Definition, Anatomy, Function, Parts, Process

What Is the Mouth and Buccal Cavity?

The mouth, or oral cavity, is the beginning, or entrance, of chewed food and liquid material into the alimentary canal. The buccal cavity is the space between lips, cheeks, teeth, and gum. Together, they initiate digestion and play roles in nutrition, speech, and sensation

Importance of Mouth and Buccal Cavity

Overall, the mouth and buccal cavity give way to the early stages of the digestive process—both mechanical and chemical. The integrity of the mouth and buccal cavity is important for maintaining general health because it is implicated in nutrition. Additionally, it is important in speech (phonation) and social interaction.

Anatomy Of The Mouth And Buccal Cavity

The anatomy of the mouth and buccal cavity is discussed below:

External and Internal Structures

• Lips

• Cheeks

• Teeth

• Tongue

• Palate

Parts of the Mouth and Buccal Cavity

The parts of the mouth and buccal cavity include:

Teeth

• Incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

• The human dental formula and the general arrangement in the mouth.

Tongue

• The muscular organ, the tongue, has different parts that have specialised areas for different functions.

• It helps in taste, articulation, and food movement during chewing.

Salivary Glands

• Salivary glands are of three types: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual.

• The gland largely secretes saliva that does much for digestion and lubricates the space in the mouth.

• This may also go a long way to keeping the mouth moist..

Lips and Cheeks

• Lips and cheeks retain food as well as for speech.

Functions of Mouth and Buccal Cavity

The mouth and buccal cavity play important roles in various processes:

Mechanical Digestion

• The teeth chew the food and the tongue mixes with saliva.

• There are different types of teeth which have different specialisations of function such as the incisors, canines, premolars and the molars.

Chemical Digestion

• Saliva moistens food for easier swallowing and breaks down starches.

• Amylase is the catalytic enzyme present in the saliva, which starts the digestion of carbohydrates.

Speech and Communication

• The mouth and tongue are very important organs in articulation in the formation of speech and sounds.

Sensory Functions

• Taste papillae on the tongue, and olfactory receptors in the nose

Common Disorders of Mouth and Buccal Cavity

Some of the common disorders of the mouth and buccal cavity are:

Dental Caries (Cavities)

• Causes: Bacterial plaque, sugary diet, and poor oral hygiene.

• Symptoms: Toothache, visible pits or holes in teeth, sensitivity.

• Prevention: Regular brushing and flossing, reducing sugary foods, routine dental check-ups.

Periodontal Disease

• Causes: Plaque buildup, poor oral hygiene, smoking.

• Symptoms: Swollen gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth.

• Treatment: Professional cleaning and oral hygiene, surgery (if required).

Oral Thrush

• Cause: Infection of fungus, weak immune, antibiotics.

• Symptoms: White sores inside mouth, sore, difficulty swallowing.

• Treatment: Antifungal medication, good oral hygiene.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

• Cause: Medication, dehydration from the body, some diseases.

• Symptoms: Dryness.

Mouth & Buccal Cavity NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Parts of mouth and buccal cavity

• Functions of mouth and buccal cavity

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Which of the following structure controls the peristaltic movement of alimentary canal?

1. Myenteric plexus

2. Auerbach plexus

3. Meissner’s plexus

4. Both 1 and 2

Correct answer: 4) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

Food is moved via peristalsis, which begins in the oesophagus and continues in the small and large intestines. Chyme, a liquid combination of food and gastric fluids, is mixed and moved back and forth in the small intestine by peristalsis. Peristalsis aids in the large intestine's absorption of water from undigested meals.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Both 1 and 2.

Q2. The chemical process of digestion is initiated in the oral cavity by the hydrolytic action of the carbohydrate-splitting enzyme called

1. Salivary amylase

2. Pepsin

3. Trypsin

4. Carboxypeptidase

Correct answer: 1) Salivary amylase

Explanation:

The salivary amylase (ptyalin) enzyme starts the chemical process of digestion in the mouth cavity. Complex carbohydrates like starch are broken down by this enzyme into simpler sugars like maltose. Salivary amylase breaks down the carbohydrates in food as it is chewed and combined with saliva, initiating the process of digestion. This enables the body to start using carbs as fuel before the food ever gets to the stomach.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1)Salivary amylase

Q3. Which of the following is not a component of saliva?

1. Electrolytes Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3- ions

2. Ptyalin / salivary amylase

3. Mucin, lysozyme and thiocyanate ions

4. Antibody (IgG)

Correct answer: 4) Antibody (IgG)

Explanation:

Numerous electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and phosphates, make up saliva. Saliva also contains proteins, enzymes, mucins, immunoglobulins, and nitrogenous substances like ammonia and urea.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Antibody (IgG).

Also Read:

• MCQs on Process of Digestion in Mouth

• Alimentary Canal

• Salivary Glands

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