Munnhulens

Munnhulens is a term used in Scandinavian languages to refer to the mouth cavity (munnhulen) or, in possessive form, the mouth cavity's structures and functions. In anatomy, the oral cavity is the entry point of the digestive tract and is divided into the oral vestibule and the oral cavity proper. It is bounded anteriorly by the lips, laterally by the cheeks, superiorly by the palate, and inferiorly by the tongue and the floor of the mouth.

The oral cavity contains the teeth, gums, tongue, hard and soft palate, and the mucosal lining. The mucosa is typically stratified squamous epithelium. The tongue, a muscular organ, plays a central role in taste, speech, and mechanical processing of food. The palate separates the mouth from the nasal cavity and assists in swallowing and articulation. Several paired and unpaired salivary glands—primarily the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands—contribute saliva, which begins carbohydrate digestion and helps lubricate and protect the mucosa.

Functions of the munnhulen include sensory perception (taste), mechanical digestion (chewing), chemical digestion (salivary enzymes), bolus formation, swallowing, and speech. Innervation is primarily through branches of the trigeminal and facial nerves for sensation and taste, with motor control of the tongue and facial muscles supporting mastication and articulation.

Clinical relevance encompasses dental caries and periodontal disease, mucosal infections and ulcers, and the risk of oral cancer, which emphasizes the importance of dental hygiene and routine oral examinations. Developmentally, the oral cavity forms from the stomodeum in the embryo, with tooth development arising from dental lamina and associated structures.