mouth

Mouth, or oral cavity, is the entry point to the digestive tract. It includes the lips, teeth, gums (gingiva), hard and soft palate, tongue, and the surrounding oral mucosa. The mouth is bounded anteriorly by the lips and laterally by the cheeks; the space between lips/cheeks and teeth is the vestibule, while the interior space is the oral cavity proper.

Functions include ingestion, mechanical digestion through chewing (mastication), and chemical digestion begun by saliva. Saliva, produced by the major glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and small accretions, lubricates the mouth, forms a bolus, buffers acids, and contains enzymes such as salivary amylase. The tongue and teeth manipulate food, and the palate helps segregate the nasal passages during swallowing. Taste buds on the tongue detect flavors and contribute to appetite and digestion.

Anatomically, the teeth are arranged in arches and exist in both deciduous and permanent sets. The tongue is a muscular organ covered with mucosa and papillae, essential for taste, speech, and oral clearance. The palate comprises a bony hard palate and a muscular soft palate, with the uvula helping close the nasopharynx during swallowing. The mucosa lining is stratified squamous epithelium and is richly supplied with nerves.

Common conditions affecting the mouth include dental caries, periodontal disease, oral candidiasis, ulcers, and oral cancers. Good oral hygiene, regular dental care, and avoidance of risk factors improve oral health and overall well-being.