Library · Anatomy
Oral cavity
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The oral cavity is the mouth, and it is the first part of the digestive system: this is where food starts its journey. It is made up of the lips, the tongue, the palate, and the teeth.
The teeth tear and grind the food. The tongue presses it against the palate to form the bolus, the compacted portion that is then swallowed into the esophagus, the tube that runs down to the stomach. Between them, the teeth and the tongue do the work of a mill and of the hand that gathers the dough.
Several salivary glands, the submandibular and the sublingual ones, secrete a viscous, mucoid fluid, meaning thick and full of mucus, that keeps the mouth moist.
In brief
The oral cavity, the mouth, is the first part of the digestive system, made up of the lips, tongue, palate, and teeth.
The teeth tear and grind food, and the tongue presses it against the palate to form the bolus, which is then swallowed into the esophagus.
Between them, the teeth and the tongue do the work of a mill and of the hand that gathers the dough.
Several submandibular and sublingual salivary glands secrete a viscous, mucoid fluid that keeps the oral cavity moist.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAnatomy, Head and Neck, Oral Cavity (Mouth), StatPearlsPublished
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Updated