Oral Anatomy/ Physiology
Living Membrane- Inner cheek/ lip surfaces, underneath tongue, soft palate.
Areas act as cushion, lubrication and cleansing
Masticatory Membrane- Gingiva, edges of tongue, hard palate, prevents
trauma
Specialised Membrane- Top/ edges of tongue, gives taste sensation
Soft Palate Prolongation- Uvula
Tongue Functions:
Speech
Taste
Helps chewing and swallowing
Cleansing
Soft palate seals off nasopharynx to prevent food bolus entering nose
Epiglottis seals larynx and prevents bolus from entering trachea
Glossitis- Tongue inflammation, can occur in anaemia, vitamin B deficiency or
hormonal disturbances
Dysphagia- Difficulty swallowing:
Psychological- Inability to swallow
Xerostomia- Dry mouth
Oesophagitis- Oesophagus inflammation
Other pharyngeal or oesophagus disorders relate to cancers
Tooth Morphology- Shape and function of teeth
Cementum- Covers root dentine only, 65% calcium hydroxyapatite crystals,
attaches root to periodontal ligament, ameloblasts, Dentinocemental junction
Fluoride- Fluorapatite crystals, makes enamel harder and more resistant to
decay
Enamel- 96% inorganic mineral crystals, main crystals are calcium
hydroxyapatite, formed by ameloblast cells
Dentine- 80% inorganic crystals calcium hydroxyapatite, odontoblasts, sensory
nerve endings called Fibrils.
Living Membrane- Inner cheek/ lip surfaces, underneath tongue, soft palate.
Areas act as cushion, lubrication and cleansing
Masticatory Membrane- Gingiva, edges of tongue, hard palate, prevents
trauma
Specialised Membrane- Top/ edges of tongue, gives taste sensation
Soft Palate Prolongation- Uvula
Tongue Functions:
Speech
Taste
Helps chewing and swallowing
Cleansing
Soft palate seals off nasopharynx to prevent food bolus entering nose
Epiglottis seals larynx and prevents bolus from entering trachea
Glossitis- Tongue inflammation, can occur in anaemia, vitamin B deficiency or
hormonal disturbances
Dysphagia- Difficulty swallowing:
Psychological- Inability to swallow
Xerostomia- Dry mouth
Oesophagitis- Oesophagus inflammation
Other pharyngeal or oesophagus disorders relate to cancers
Tooth Morphology- Shape and function of teeth
Cementum- Covers root dentine only, 65% calcium hydroxyapatite crystals,
attaches root to periodontal ligament, ameloblasts, Dentinocemental junction
Fluoride- Fluorapatite crystals, makes enamel harder and more resistant to
decay
Enamel- 96% inorganic mineral crystals, main crystals are calcium
hydroxyapatite, formed by ameloblast cells
Dentine- 80% inorganic crystals calcium hydroxyapatite, odontoblasts, sensory
nerve endings called Fibrils.
