Space
Oral cavity
A food-processing chamber with an outer vestibule
High-yield
The parotid duct opens on the cheek opposite the upper second molar. Each submandibular duct opens beside the lingual frenulum, while multiple sublingual ducts open along the floor of the mouth.
Overview
The lips and cheeks enclose a vestibule outside the dental arches. Inside the arches, the oral cavity proper contains most of the tongue and communicates with the oropharynx. Teeth, saliva and tongue movements prepare food for swallowing; the same structures also contribute to speech.
Reference facts
- Boundaries
- Lips anteriorly, cheeks laterally and palate above. The muscular floor supports the tongue; the opening behind leads between the palatal arches toward the oropharynx.
- Contents
- Teeth, gingiva, oral tongue, floor-of-mouth tissues and salivary duct openings. The palatine tonsils lie in the neighboring oropharynx.
- Communications
- External opening between the lips and posterior communication with the oropharynx. The vestibule and cavity proper connect behind the last teeth and through spaces between teeth.
Clinical correlation
Reduced saliva can make chewing, swallowing and speech uncomfortable and increase the risk of dental decay and oral infection. Oral dryness has several possible causes, including medication effects and gland disease.
Frequently asked questions
What are the boundaries of the oral cavity?
Lips anteriorly, cheeks laterally and palate above. The muscular floor supports the tongue; the opening behind leads between the palatal arches toward the oropharynx.
What does the oral cavity contain?
Teeth, gingiva, oral tongue, floor-of-mouth tissues and salivary duct openings. The palatine tonsils lie in the neighboring oropharynx.
What does the oral cavity communicate with?
External opening between the lips and posterior communication with the oropharynx. The vestibule and cavity proper connect behind the last teeth and through spaces between teeth.