munhåla

Munhåla, or the oral cavity, is the part of the digestive tract contained within the mouth. It extends from the lips and teeth anteriorly to the oropharynx posteriorly, and is bounded laterally by the cheeks and teeth, superiorly by the palate, and inferiorly by the tongue and floor of the mouth.

Anatomically, the oral cavity is divided into the oral vestibule (between lips/cheeks and teeth) and the oral cavity proper (behind the teeth). Major components are the lips, gingiva, tongue, palate (hard and soft), and floor of the mouth. The mucosa is a stratified squamous epithelium, keratinized on the hard palate and gingiva, and non-keratinized on the soft tissues. The tongue bears taste buds and movements that help chewing and swallowing. The teeth perform mechanical processing of food. Major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) secrete saliva into the mouth.

Functions include ingestion, mastication, taste, and initiation of digestion via saliva, which contains enzymes, lubricants, and antimicrobial factors. The tongue and palate aid speech and swallowing. The oral mucosa acts as a barrier and participates in immune defense.

Common conditions affecting the munhåla include dental caries (tooth decay), gingivitis and periodontitis, ulcers, candidiasis, and, with risk factors, oral cancer. Good oral hygiene, fluoride exposure, and regular dental care reduce risk. In Swedish medical literature, munhåla refers to this region.