mouth

Anterior cavity of the digestive tract; it has a role in ingesting food, tasting, breathing and speaking.

lower lip

Movable muscular fold forming the lower contour of the mouth.

inferior dental arch

Arch formed by the set of teeth of the mandible.

tongue

Flexible muscular structure of the oral cavity; it helps in tasting, masticating and ingesting food, and also facilitates speech.

commissure of lips of mouth

Each of the two juncture points of the upper and lower lips.

isthmus of fauces

Orifice by which the mouth connects with the pharynx (meeting point of the respiratory and digestive tracts) enabling food to reach the esophagus.

superior dental arch

Arch formed by the set of teeth of the maxilla.

upper lip

Movable muscular fold forming the upper contour of the mouth; the main roles of the lips are protecting the teeth and helping in speech.

uvula

Fleshy movable appendage that is an extension of the posterior edge of the soft palate; it aids in ingesting food and speaking.

tonsil

Lymphoid structure (rich in white blood cells) involved in protecting the respiratory tract by fighting bacterial infections.

palatoglossal arch

Muscular lateral fold of the posterior edge of the soft palate.

soft palate

Muscular membranous section of the wall separating the mouth from the nasal cavity; it has a role especially in ingesting food and speaking.

hard palate

Bony section of the wall dividing the mouth from the nasal cavity; it is extended by the soft palate.

gum

Thick section of the mucous membrane of the mouth that is rich in blood vessels and nerves; it covers the edge of the dental alveolus and adheres to the neck.