matcaviteten

Matcaviteten, commonly referred to as the oral cavity, is the entry point to the digestive tract located in the mouth. It is the space inside the lips and cheeks, bounded anteriorly by the lips, laterally by the teeth and dental arches, superiorly by the hard and soft palate, and inferiorly by the tongue and floor of the mouth. The cavity is divided into the vestibule (the space between teeth/gingiva and lips/cheeks) and the oral cavity proper (the space behind the teeth). It is lined by mucous membrane and contains the tongue, teeth, gums, palate and related structures.

Key components include the lips, cheeks, teeth and gingiva, tongue, hard and soft palate, and the floor of the mouth, with openings of the major salivary glands in or near the cavity. The surface mucosa varies from keratinized to non-keratinized epithelium depending on location and function.

Functions of the matcaviteten include mechanical processing of food through mastication, mixing with saliva to form a bolus, and the initiation of chemical digestion via salivary enzymes such as amylase. The tongue and taste buds provide taste perception and aid in bolus formation and propulsion toward the pharynx. Saliva, produced by the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands, lubricates, buffers pH, and contains enzymes and antimicrobial agents.

Clinical relevance includes the oral microbiome’s role in dental caries and periodontal disease, as well as dental trauma and infections. The cavity is also important for speech and overall oral health.