chapter 6: the face & oral cavity

vallate papillae

the largest of the papillae, located at the back of the tongue & are v-shaped

soft palate

the movable posterior third of the palate

oral cavity proper

the space contained within the upper and lower dental arches

facial features

these provide essential landmarks for many of the deeper structures

vestibule

this structure forms the entrance to the oral cavity

vermilion border

transitional area between the skin of the face and mucous membrane of the lip

submucosal injections

can be very painful because the mucosa of the hard palate is tightly bound to the underlying bone

palatal rugae

irregular ridges of masticatory mucosa extending laterally from the incisive papilla

foliate papillae

leaf-like shaped taste buds

filiform papillae

located at the tip of the tongue & do not contain any taste receptors

fungiform papillae

mushroom-shaped taste buds located at the tongues center

ala

winged flare of the nostril

intraoral

inside the mouth

uvula

a fold of mucous membrane attached to the back of the soft palate

linea alba

a long fold of tissue along the buccal mucosa next to where the teeth come together

frenum

a narrow band of tissue that connects two tissues

incisive papilla

a pear-shaped pad of tissue that covers the incisive foramen

gag reflex

a protective mechanism that occurs in the posterior region of the mouth

philtrum

a vertical groove between the nose and upper lip

gingivae

also known as the gums, are masticatory mucosae that cover the alveolar processes of the jaws and surround the necks of the teeth

tongue

an important organ responsible for several functions such as: speech, swallowing, sense of taste, & cleaning of the oral cavity

labia

another name for the lips

labial commissure

corners of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet

unattached gingiva

darker gingiva that is not attached to the underlying alveolar bone; also known as free gingiva

attached gingiva

extends from the base of the sulcus to the mucogingival junction

extraoral

outside of the mouth

pharynx

passageway for air and food

hard palate

separates the nasal cavity above from the oral cavity below

free gingiva groove

the area where the lighter-colored gingiva meets the darker-colored alveolar mucosa

nasolabial sukus

the groove extending upward between each labial commissure & the ala of the nose