ANATOMY LESSON 1-UNIT 7

LANDMARKS OF THE FACE

AND ORAL CAVITY
Learning Outcomes
Name and identify the landmarks of the face
Name and identify the landmarks of the oral
cavity
Describe the structures found in vestibular
region of the oral cavity
Describe the area of the oral cavity proper
Describe the characteristics of normal gingival
tissue
Locate and describe the functions of the taste
buds
LANDMARKS OF THE FACE
PHILTRUM
NARIS
LIPS
The lips are also known as labia.
The lips are outlined by the vermilion
border.
The labial commissure is the angle at the
corner of the mouth where the upper and
lower lips join.
The nasolabial sulcus is the groove
extending upward between each labial
commissure and the ala of the nose.
LIPS
NASOLABIAL SULCUS
Landmarks and Ceph tracings for
Orthodontics

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THE ORAL CAVITY
The oral cavity is lined with mucous
membrane tissue. The oral cavity consists
of two areas:
– The vestibule is the space between the teeth
and the inner mucosal lining of the lips and
cheeks.
– The oral cavity proper is the space contained
within the upper and lower dental arches.
THE VESTIBULE
Vestibule lined with mucosal tissue
Vestibular mucosa is thin, red and loosely
bound to underlying alveolar bone
Base of vestibule, where buccal mucosa
meets alveolar mucosa is mucobuccal fold
Mucogingival junction-alveolar
membrane meets attached gingiva. Line
where color change distinct.
Fig. 10-4 Vestibule and vestibular tissue of the
oral cavity.
(From Liebgott B: The anatomical basis of dentistry, ed 2, St. Louis, 2001,
Mosby.)
THE VESTIBULE CONTD
Buccal vestibule is the area between the cheeks
and the teeth or alveolar ridge.
Parotid papilla located on inner surface of the
cheek on the buccal mucosa, opposite 2nd Mx
molar. It protects opening of parotid duct of
parotid salivary gland.
Fordyce granules or spots-normal variations of
mucosa. Yellowish small elevations.
Linea alba also a normal variation of the
buccal mucosa. White line at level of occlusion
LINEA ALBA
FORDYCE GRANULES
LABIAL AND OTHER FRENULA
THE ORAL CAVITY PROPER
1. HARD PALATE
The hard palate separatesthe nasal cavity
above from the oral cavity below.
The mucosa of the hard palate is tightly
bound to the underlying bone, and
therefore sub mucosal injections into the
palatal area can be extremely painful.
 THE ORAL CAVITY

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2.SOFT PALATE
The soft palate is the movable posterior
third of the palate.
It ends posteriorly as a free edge with a
hanging projection called the uvula.
FEATURES OF THE SOFT PALATE

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THE GAG REFLEX
The gag reflex is a protective mechanism
located in the posterior region of the
mouth. This very sensitive area includes the
soft palate, fauces, and the posterior portion
of the tongue
Contact with the membranes of this area
causes gagging, retching, or vomiting.
When working in the patient's mouth, the
dental assistant must be very careful not to
trigger the gag reflex.
3. THE TONGUE
The functions:
Speech. The movements of the tongue are crucial for
articulation.
Taste. The taste buds, the sensory receptors for taste,
are located on the tongue.
Chewing and swallowing. The tongue helps the teeth
and other parts of the mouth with chewing food and
passing it down the throat as the first part of the
swallowing process.
Cleaning. The movements of the tongue dislodge
food particles stuck between the teeth, gum and cheek
so that it can be spat out or swallowed.
PARTS OF THE TONGUE
Body: Anterior two thirds of the tongue
Root: Posterior portion that turns downward
toward the pharynx
Dorsum: Upper and posterior roughened
surface
Sublingual surface: Covered with smooth,
transparent mucosa
Lingual frenulum
Papillae for submandibular ducts-saliva enters
mouth
 TONGUE

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LINGUAL FRENUM
TASTE BUDS
Function-taste food, warning when food
too hot
Located on dorsum surface of the tongue
Saliva necessary to stimulate taste buds to
detect flavors
Filiform papillae cover entire surface of
tongue-provide sense of touch
BASIC TASTES

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