Suuõõnde

Suuõõnde is the Estonian term for the oral cavity, the anatomical space inside the mouth. It encompasses the structures and tissues that participate in feeding, speaking, and respiration.

Anatomy and subdivisions

The oral cavity is divided into the oral vestibule, which lies between the lips and cheeks on the outside and the teeth on the inside, and the oral cavity proper, enclosed by the teeth and the dental arches. Boundaries include the hard and soft palate superiorly, the floor formed by the mucosa of the tongue and the underlying muscles, and the posterior boundary where it opens into the oropharynx. The tongue, teeth and gums, palatine tonsils, and minor salivary glands are key components. The mucosal lining varies from keratinized epithelium on the hard palate and gingiva to non-keratinized epithelium elsewhere.

Physiology

The oral cavity hosts mastication, mechanical digestion, and mixing of food with saliva. Saliva, produced by major glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) and minor glands, lubricates, buffers, and begins carbohydrate digestion via amylase. The tongue and taste buds contribute to sensation and gustation, while articulation of speech relies on the tongue, lips, and palate.

Clinical relevance

Common topics include dental caries and periodontal disease, mucosal conditions, ulcers, candidiasis, and oral cancers. Oral hygiene, dental checkups, and management of salivary function are central to maintaining oral cavity health. Imaging is typically not required for normal anatomy but may be used to assess pathology or adjacent structures.