The oral cavity serves to break down food that we injest into a bolus to be then quickly passed into the esophagus.

Learning outcomes

After studying this topic you should

• know the types of mucosa that line the lip and oral cavity.
• know structural and functional similarities and differences between the parotid, submandibular, sublingual and minor salivary glands.
• know the structure of the tongue.
• identify and know structure and functions of filiform, fungiform and circumvalate papillae.
• know the structure of a taste bud.
• identify glands and skeletal muscle components in the tongue.