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Human mouth. In human anatomy, the mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and produces saliva. [ 2] The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth. In addition to its primary role as the beginning of the digestive system, the mouth also plays a significant role in communication.
The mouth is the only place in the body which provides the sensation of taste. Due to these unique physiological features, the oral mucosa must fulfil a number of distinct functions. Protection - One of the main functions of the oral mucosa is to physically protect the underlying tissues from the mechanical forces, microbes and toxins in the mouth.
Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. (Frenulum linguae is the topmost label at right.) The frenulum (or frenum) of the tongue, tongue web, lingual frenulum, frenulum linguae, or fraenulum[ 1] is a small fold of mucous membrane extending from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the underside of the human tongue .
The soft palate (also known as the velum, palatal velum, or muscular palate) is, in mammals, the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is part of the palate of the mouth; the other part is the hard palate. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate at the front of the mouth in that it does not ...
Salivary gland dysfunction refers to either xerostomia (the symptom of dry mouth) or salivary gland hypofunction (reduced production of saliva); it is associated with significant impairment of quality of life. [34] Following radiotherapy of the head and neck region, salivary gland dysfunction is a predictable side-effect. [34]
The submandibular duct (also Wharton's duct or historically submaxillary duct) is one of the salivary excretory ducts. It is about 5 cm long, and its wall is much thinner than that of the parotid duct. It drains saliva from each bilateral submandibular gland and sublingual gland to the sublingual caruncle in the floor of the mouth .
The sublingual caruncle is a small papilla near the midline of the floor of the mouth on each side of the lingual frenum. [3] Most of the remaining small sublingual ducts (of Rivinus) open separate into the mouth on an elevated crest of mucous membrane, the plica sublingualis (aka sublingual fold ), formed by the gland and located on either ...
Mucin is viscous, clear, and clinging. Underlying the mucous membrane in the mouth is a thin layer of smooth muscle tissue and the loose connection to the membrane gives it its great elasticity. [5] It covers the cheeks, inner surfaces of the lips, and floor of the mouth, and the mucin produced is highly protective against tooth decay. [6]