Questions with Complete A+ Graded Answers Updated 2026\2027
Where does the oral cavity begin and end?
Begins and the lips and cheeks and ends at the oral pharynx
What to systems do the oral cavity introduce?
Beginning of the digestive system
At the posterior forms a common pathway with the respiratory system
Where do the tonsillar pillars lie?
Between the anterior and posterior tonsillar pillars
The oral cavity is divided into two parts:
vestibule and oral cavity proper
Vestibule
Space between the teeth and the inner mucosal lining of the lips and cheeks
Where does an edentulous person's vestibule end?
At the alveolar ridge
Oral Cavity Proper
Area surrounded/contained by the teeth back to the area of the palatine tonsils
Includes floor of the mouth and hard and soft palate
Vermillion zone
Vermillion Border
area where the pink-red lip tissue meets the facial skin
lip line
Ala of the nose
The wing of the nose or outer edge of the nostril
Nares
nostrils
Labial commissure
, corners of the mouth
Philitrum
vertical groove on the middle of the upper lip.
Cupids bow
Zygomaticoalveolar crest
ridge of bone at the upper posterior vestibular space; beginning of the anterior part of the
zygomatic arch (cheekbone)
Mucobuccal/mucolabial fold
Point at which the mucosa of the lips and cheeks turns to go towards the gingival tissue
alveolar mucosa
Mucosa lying against the alveolar bone that is loosely attached and and moveable
What color is alveolar mucosa and why?
Reddish because of the presence of blood vessels underneath the thin mucosa
mucogingival junction
Distinct line of color change in the tissue where the alveolar membrane meets with attached
gingivae
Labial Frenum (Frenulum)
fold of connective tissue at the midline in upper and lower lips
Diastema
An open space between the two adjacent teeth.
What can cause a diastema?
Large labial frenulum
To correct it must be surgically removed and if this procedure does not close it all the way mild
ortho treatment may be required.
Done between ages of 6-12
coronoid process
Bony projection at anterior border of mandibular ramus
Point of attachment for the temporal muscle