masticate

Masticate is a verb meaning to chew food, grinding it between the teeth to reduce it to a form suitable for swallowing. The word derives from Latin masticare, to chew. In everyday use, it contrasts with swallowing or digestion that occurs after chewing.

In humans, mastication is the first stage of digestion. It involves the teeth, arranged in incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, which perform cutting, tearing, and grinding actions. The jaw muscles—the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids—coordinate with the tongue and cheeks to position food and mix it with saliva. Saliva lubricates the bolus and contains enzymes such as salivary amylase that begin carbohydrate digestion. Mechanical breakdown during chewing increases the surface area of the food and facilitates swallowing and subsequent digestion.

Factors such as food texture, dental health, age, and neuromuscular control influence the rate and efficiency of mastication. Some animals have specialized dentition or grinding surfaces adapted to their diets, while humans vary in masticatory efficiency based on dentition and jaw function. The noun form is mastication, and the adjective form is masticatory.

Clinical and anatomical usage notes: impaired mastication can result from dental problems, temporomandibular joint disorders, or neuromuscular conditions, potentially affecting nutrition and comfort. Proper mastication is considered important for efficient digestion and comfortable swallowing.