Buccal Cavity

• What is digested in the mouth?

  carbohydrates
• The pH of the mouth (saliva) is 7
• Teeth break up large bits of food into smaller bits to increase the surface area for enzyme action. This is mechanical digestion
• Salivary glands secrete saliva, which is made up of

  • 99.5% water
  • mineral salts which maintain slightly alkali conditions
  • mucus which acts as a lubricant
  • lysozyme (an enzyme which kills bacteria)
  • salivary amylase (which breaks down starch and glycogen into maltose and smaller polysaccharides).
• Buccal cavity:

  • food is broken up into small pieces in the buccal cavity (mouth) by the chewing action of the teeth (mastication)
  • this is mechanical digestion
  • this increases the surface area for chemical digestion, it is moistened by saliva.
• Mastication - the process by which food is crushed and ground (chewed) by teeth
• Role of the tongue - tongue moves food around your mouth to help you chew and swallow
• Role of the epiglottis:

  • keeps food and fluid from moving into the larynx
• Role of the tongue:

  • moves food around your mouth to help with chewing and swallowing