Mouth

• Mouth

  mouth is where food is chewed and mixed with enzyme-containing saliva beginning the process of digestion and swallowing
• The vestibule is the narrow region between the cheeks and teeth and between lips and teeth
• tongue is covered in papillae, small little bumps, and these help grip the food
• Saliva is made of mostly water, digestive enzymes, lysozyme, proteins(mucin), antibodies(IgA), and ions
• Salivary amylase breaks down polysaccharides(starch) into tiny little chains of glucose
• Uvula is an extension of soft plate
• Buccal phase happens in the mouth when the tongue forces the bolus of the food towards the pharynx
• pharyngeal phase happens when the food enters the pharynx
• soft palate and uvula fold upward and over the nasal passages
• The larynx rises as the epiglottis folds down covering the trachea
• esophageal phase occurs when the esophageal sphincter opens and lets food through