Suuontelo

Suuontelo, in Finnish anatomy, refers to the oral cavity or cavitas oris. It is the entry point of the digestive tract and plays essential roles in speech, taste, and digestion.

Anatomy and boundaries: The Suuontelo is bounded anteriorly by the lips, laterally by the cheeks, and posteriorly by the oropharyngeal isthmus. It is subdivided into the oral vestibule (between lips/cheeks and teeth) and the oral cavity proper (from the teeth to the oropharynx). The roof is formed by the hard palate and the soft palate, while the floor is formed by the tongue and the floor of the mouth. The sides are defined by the dental arches.

Components: The cavity contains the teeth and gums, the tongue with its papillae, the palate, and the floor of the mouth, along with the openings of the major salivary glands. The mucosal lining is stratified squamous, keratinized on the hard palate and gingiva and non-keratinized in other regions. Major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) and numerous minor glands provide saliva.

Function: The Suuontelo processes solids and liquids, begins digestion with saliva, participates in tasting, swallowing, and speech, and protects the mucosa through lubrication and antimicrobial components in saliva.

Clinical notes: The cavity is commonly affected by dental caries, periodontal disease, ulcers, and mucosal lesions. It is a focal point for routine oral health examinations and can reflect systemic health conditions.

Development and innervation: It forms from embryonic structures known as the stomodeum. Sensory innervation is primarily via the trigeminal nerve; taste involves the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves; motor control to tongue and associated muscles is via the hypoglossal nerve.