oral cavity

• oral cavity 2 regions vestibule and oral cavity proper
• lips, or labia are muscular structures formed mostly by the orbicularis oris muscle
• labial frenula which are mucosal folds, extend from the alveolar process of the maxilla to the upper lip
• cheeks form the lateral walls of the oral cavity
• buccinator muscle which flattens the cheek against the teeth
• buccal fat pad which rounds out the profile on the side of the face
• roof of the oral cavity is called the palate
• bony part is the hard palate
• nonbony part is the soft palate
• uvula (grape) is a posterior projection from the soft palate
• fauces which is the opening into the pharynx, or throat
• palatine tonsils are in the lateral wall of the fauces