Oral Cavity Flashcards
(103 cards)
What is the oral cavity bound by anteriorly, laterally, posteriorly, superiorly, and inferiorly?
anteriorly by the lips, laterally by the cheeks, posteriorly by the palatoglossal arches, superiorly by the hard & soft palates, and inferiorly by the mylohyoid m.
What is the oral cavity proper?
the area internal to the dental arches
What is the oral vestibule?
the area outside the dental arches. narrow space between the labii & cheeks and the teeth
How does the oral vestibule communicate with the external environment? when does it become continuous with the oral cavity proper?
via the oral cavity. It becomes continuous with the oral cavity proper posterior to the third molars
What is contained within the oral vestibule?
buccal surfaces of the teeth, alveolar processes, and associated gingivae, papillae & openings of the parotid (Stensen’s) ducts, openings of numerous minor salivary glands, frenulum of upper lip, and frenulum of lower lip.
The oral cavity proper is continuous with the _________________ via the ___________________
oropharynx : oropharyngeal isthmus, the space between the palatoglossal arches
What is contained within the oral cavity proper? (not including the sublingual space)
lingual surfaces of teeth, alveolar processes, and associated gingivae, tongue (body), lingual frenulum sublingual caruncles & openings of the submandibular (Wharton’s) ducts, sublingual folds & openings of the sublingual ducts, and openings of numerous minor salivary glands.
What is the sublingual space?
the area between the mucosa of the floor of the oral cavity proper and the mylohyoid m.
What is the sublingual space continuous with posterior to the mylohyoid m.?
the submandibular fascial space (inferiorly) and lateral pharyngeal fascial space (posteriorly)
What is the sublingual space continuous with posterior to the mylohyoid m.?
the submandibular fascial space (inferiorly) and lateral pharyngeal fascial space (posteriorly)
What may happen to infections in the sublingual space?
They may spread to adjacent spaces (submandibular, lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and beyond)
What is ludwig’s angina? How serious is it?
Cellulitis in the sublingual, submandibular, and sometimes submental space that ends up endangering the airway and requiring immediate attention. It is life threatening.
What is contained within the sublingual space?
sublingual glands (and associated ducts), submandibular ducts, lingual aa. (and brs.), lingual vv. (and tributaries), lingual nn. (and associated submandibular ganglia) hypoglossal nn. (and vena comitantes), and the deep lobe of submandibular gland.
What is the smallest of the three main salivary glands? what are they?
the sublingual gland is the smallest. They include the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands
Where is the sublingual gland? When does it become referred to as the “sublingual fold”?
It is located superior to the mylohyoid m. and when covered with mucosa, it forms the sublingual fold
How do the sublingual glands drain?
via numerous small ducts along the sublingual folds
What else is located in the area of the sublingual fold?
The deep, smaller part of the submandibular gland is in this area, closely associated with the posterior end of the sublingual gland.
How is the mylohyoid line formed?
by the attachment of the mylohyoid muscle to the mandible
What two glands are associated with the mylohyoid line?
sublingual gland superior, and submandibular gland inferior
What branch of the external carotid is the lingual a.?
the second branch, typically located anteriorly
What structures does the lingual a. pass through?
between the hyoglossus m. and the middle pharyngeal constrictor m.
What does the lingual a. supply?
the floor of the oral cavity, and the tongue.
What are the chief branches of the lingual a.?
Dorsal lingual brs., Sublingual a., Deep lingual a.
Where do the dorsal lingual brs. arise? What do they supply?
the dorsal lingual brs. arise medially of the hyoglossus m. and supply the posterior tongue, soft palate, and palatine tonsil


