Knowra Human mouth Human mouth The opening and cavity at the lower face used for eating, breathing, tasting, and producing speech. It contains the teeth and tongue and connects to the throat.
Mastication : The process of breaking food into smaller pieces by chewing. Teeth, jaw muscles, and tongue coordinate to prepare food for swallowing.
Oral cavity : The space inside the mouth bounded by the lips, cheeks, palate, and floor of the mouth. It is the principal cavity within the human mouth.
Oral hygiene : Practices that keep the mouth and teeth clean and reduce oral disease. Cleaning the mouth helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Nasal cavity : The air-filled space behind the nose that warms, humidifies, and filters inhaled air. It is the usual alternative route for breathing and lies above the mouth.
Swallowing : The coordinated movement of food or liquid from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus. The mouth forms and transfers a food bolus to the throat.
Tongue : A muscular organ in the mouth involved in taste, food movement, swallowing, and speech. It moves food, senses taste, and helps shape spoken sounds.
Dental caries : Progressive damage to tooth structure caused by acids produced when oral bacteria metabolize sugars. This common disease develops within the mouth and can damage teeth.
Nose : The external facial structure and associated passages used for smell and breathing. Unlike the mouth, the nose is specialized for olfaction and nasal airflow.
Saliva : The fluid secreted by salivary glands into the mouth. It moistens food, begins digestion, and helps protect oral tissues.
Tooth : A hard structure in the jaws used primarily to bite and chew food. Teeth divide and grind food during mastication.
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