Bouches

Bouches is the plural form of the French noun bouche, meaning mouth. In English-language contexts the term most often appears in French phrases or as part of place names, such as Bouches-du-Rhône, the department in southern France. The word can refer to multiple mouths or to river mouths in toponymy.

In anatomy, the mouth (la bouche) is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory systems. The human mouth comprises the lips, teeth, tongue, gums, and palate, forming the oral cavity. It plays a central role in ingestion, tasting, speech, swallowing, and breathing, with structure and function coordinated by muscles, nerves, and salivary glands.

Geography and toponymy are common contexts for the term. The department of Bouches-du-Rhône, located in the Provence-Alpes-C Côte d’Azur region, takes its name from the mouths of the Rhône river as it enters the Mediterranean. The prefecture is Marseille, and the department encompasses coastal areas, historic towns, and diverse urban and rural landscapes.

Other uses include its appearance in French place names and descriptive phrases referring to river mouths or multiple openings. While mainly a linguistic and geographic term in English-language writing, bouches also appears in general discussions of French language, culture, and regional geography.