bucal

Bucal is an anatomical and clinical term describing anything related to the cheek or the inner lining of the mouth. In English medical usage the corresponding and more common form is buccal. The word derives from Latin bucca, meaning cheek, and is used across dentistry, anatomy, and pharmacology to specify location or route.

In anatomy, the buccal region includes the inner cheek and surrounding structures, such as the buccinator muscle and the buccal mucosa, which lines the inside of the cheeks. The buccal surface of a tooth is the surface oriented toward the cheek, as opposed to the lingual (tongue side) or mesial/distal surfaces. The term also appears in phrases like buccal cavity or buccal vestibule, referring to the space between cheeks and teeth.

In pharmacology and medicine, buccal administration refers to delivering drugs across the buccal mucosa, allowing absorption directly into the bloodstream and bypassing the digestive system. Buccal dosage forms include tablets, films, and sprays designed to be held against the cheek. This route can provide rapid onset and is useful for patients who cannot swallow pills.

Related terms include buccinator (the muscle), buccal mucosa, and directional descriptors such as lingual, labial, and palatal that specify neighboring anatomical regions. The term is widely used in clinical settings to describe surfaces, regions, and routes associated with the cheek and the inside of the mouth.