Vo Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the typical number of teeth in an adult human?
32
This includes incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
What are the four main functions of teeth?
- Swallowing
- Tasting
- Cleaning food particles from teeth
- Speaking
Teeth play a crucial role in the digestive process and communication.
What are incisors and where are they located?
The four front teeth in each jaw
Incisors are broad and sharp, resembling a chisel.
What is the role of canines in dentition?
Holding and tearing food
Canines are pointed teeth located next to the incisors.
How many premolars are there in each jaw?
2 on each side
Premolars are also known as bicuspids due to their two cusps.
What is the primary function of premolars?
Grinding and crushing food
They have thicker surfaces to aid in the grinding process.
What are molars and what is their function?
The last three teeth on each side in each jaw, used for grinding food
Molars have a larger surface area than premolars.
What are wisdom teeth?
The last molar on each side in each jaw, appearing at ages 17-20
They are called wisdom teeth because they emerge when a person is considered to reach maturity.
What is heterodont dentition?
Having teeth of different shapes
This is characteristic of mammals, including humans.
At what age do children typically begin to lose their deciduous teeth?
Around 7 years old
Deciduous teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.
What is the purpose of the surface area of teeth?
For enzymes to act on food for better digestion
A larger surface area facilitates more efficient digestion.
Fill in the blank: The first set of teeth in humans are called _______.
deciduous teeth
These are also known as baby teeth.
True or False: Adults have more teeth than children.
True
Adults typically have 32 teeth, while children have 20 deciduous teeth.
What is pulp in a tooth?
Pulp is the soft connective tissue contained in the central space (pulp cavity) of the tooth. It consists of blood capillaries, lymph vessels, and nerve fibres.
What can cause an increased flow of saliva?
The taste, smell, or just a thought of tasty food can cause an increased flow of saliva, resulting in a ‘watering mouth’.
How much saliva does a person normally produce each day?
About 1000-1500 ml, enough to fill several bottles of soft drink!
What is the correct sequence of the human alimentary canal?
Pharynx, Oesophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Large intestine.
What are the technical names for the types of teeth in humans?
(i) Molars (the three last grinders), (ii) Canines (the pointed tooth for holding and tearing), (iii) Incisors (the broad sharp cutting teeth), (iv) Deciduous molars (the two temporary grinding teeth).
What are the parts of a tooth?
(i) Crown (part exposed above the gum), (ii) Enamel (the hard substance making the covering of the tooth), (iii) Pulp (the soft connective tissue contained in the central space of the tooth), (iv) Cementum (bone-like structure fixing the root in position), (v) Neck (slight constriction between the root and the crown).
What is the pH of saliva?
Saliva is very slightly acidic with a pH of 6.8.
What are the components of saliva?
Saliva contains water (about 99%), salts, mucus, and the enzyme salivary amylase (also called ptyalin).
What are the functions of saliva?
- Moistens and lubricates the oral cavity and tongue, facilitating speaking and swallowing. 2. Moistens food to help in swallowing. 3. Acts as a solvent to stimulate taste buds. 4. Helps food particles stick together to form a bolus for swallowing. 5. Digests starch into maltose. 6. Cleans the mouth and tends to destroy germs to prevent tooth decay. 7. Aids in water balance in the body.
What is the role of ptyalin in saliva?
Ptyalin (salivary amylase) digests starch and converts it into maltose, explaining why well-chewed boiled rice begins to taste sweet.
What are the salivary glands?
Saliva is secreted by three pairs of salivary glands: parotid glands, mandibular glands, and sublingual glands.
