Anatomy Histology of the Oral Cavity: Mouth

Lips and Cheeks

• The lips are musculofibrous folds that are connected to

the gums by superior and inferior frenula.
• The median part of the upper lip shows a shallow
external groove, the philtrum.
• The lips consist (from external to internal) chiefly of skin
– the orbicularis oris muscle
– labial glands, and mucosa

Cleft lip is most frequent in the upper lip in a paramedian position,

and it is often associated with cleft palate.
The cheeks, which contain the buccinator muscle and buccal
glands, resemble the lips in structure.
 •Palate
• The palate is the roof of the mouth and
the floor of the nasal cavity. It extends
posteriorward into the pharynx

• The palate has "an extravagant arterial

supply" (from branches of the maxillary
artery) and many sensory nerves
(branches of the pterygopalatine
ganglion).
• The palate comprises the hard palate,
or anterior two thirds, and the soft
palate, or posterior third.
• The hard palate contains the bony
palate, formed by the palatine
processes of the maxillae and the
horizontal plates of the palatine bones.
• The mucoperiosteum of the hard palate
contains many palatine glands, a
median raphe, and transverse palatine
folds.
• The soft palate (velum
palatinum) is a mobile,
fibromuscular fold
suspended from the hard
palate posteriorly and ending
in the uvula.
• It separates partially the
nasopharynx and oropharynx
and aids in closing the
pharyngeal isthmus in
swallowing and speech.
• The soft palate is continuous
laterally with two folds, the
palatoglossal and
palatopharyngeal arches.
• Skin, A good starting point is to identify the main
layers (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) of the
skin

• The three layers forming the skin can be

identified in all skin sections.
• The epithelium forming the surface layer,
the epidermis, is usually the darkest layer
visible. Sublayers are visible in the
epidermis.
• At the transition from the epidermis to the
dermis, staining will become lighter. The
lighter stained layer, the dermis, consists
of dense irregular connective tissue.
• The dermis is much thicker than the
epidermis. In thick skin, dermal papillae
create a very irregular border between
epidermis and dermis.
• The hypodermis is the lightest layer visible
and consists mainly of adipose tissue.
Dense connective tissue strands may
extend from the dermis deep into the
hypodermis and anchor the skin to
underlying structures.
• Tongue

• The tongue situated in the floor of the

mouth, is attached by muscles to the
hyoid bone, mandible, styloid
processes, and pharynx.
• The tongue is important in taste,
mastication, swallowing, and speech.
• It is composed chiefly of skeletal
muscle, is partly covered by mucous
membrane, and presents a tip and
margin, dorsum, inferior surface, and
root
• The tip, or apex, usually rests against
the incisors and continues on each
side into the margin.
• The dorsum extends from the oral
cavity into the oropharynx. A V-
shaped groove, the sulcus terminalis,
runs laterally and anteriorward from a
small pit, the foramen cecum.
• The oral part of the dorsum may show
a shallow median groove.
• The mucosa has numerous minute
lingual papillae:
• (1) the filiform papillae, the
narrowest and most numerous;
Filiform Papillae
• = plush of tongue
• Parallel rows
• Primary columnar elevation of lamina
propria
• 5 – 30 tall secondary papillae
• Epithelium over papillae – end in
tapered points
• Hard & scaly (not cornified)
(2) the fungiform papillae, with rounded heads
and containing taste buds;
Fungiform Papillae
Knob-like
Scattered, single, among filiform papillae
Larger & fewer than filiform papillae
Narrow stalk, rounded top
Size: 1.8 mm. high; 1 mm. wide
1 to several taste buds
Modified fungiform papillae: conical (3 mm.
high)
 • FILIFORM PAPILLAE OF THE TONGUE
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - epithelium covering papilla
      (stratified squamous keratinizing)
2 - keratinized layer of the epithelium
3 - core of the papilla (lamina
propria of the mucosa of dorsal
surface of the tongue)
2 - tongue muscles

LEAF SHAPED PAPILLAE OF THE

TONGUE
     Stained with H&E
1 - epithelium covering papilla
      (stratified squamous nonkeratinizing)
2 - core of the papilla (lamina propria
      of the mucosa of dorsal surface of the
tongue)
3 - taste buds
• CIRCUMVALLATE
PAPILLAE OF THE
TONGUE
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - epithelium covering
papilla
      (stratified squamous
nonkeratinizing)
2 - core of the papilla
(lamina propria of the
mucosa of dorsal surface of
the tongue)
3 - taste buds
• 3) Vallate Papillae
• V-shaped row; V separates tongue Tongue surface
body & root
• 7 to 11 papillae
• Largest papillae: 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
high; 1 to 3 mm. wide
• Top – below surface of tongue
• Trench around periphery
• Lymphatic follicles in the submucosa are collectively known as the
lingual tonsil. The mucosa is reflected onto the anterior aspect of the
epiglottis (median glossoepiglottic fold) and onto the lateral wall of
the pharynx (lateral glosso-epiglottic fold).

• The depression on each side of the median glosso-epiglottic fold is

termed the vallecula.

• The inferior surface of the tongue is connected to the floor of the

mouth by the frenulum, lateral to which the deep lingual vein can be
seen through the mucosa. Lateral to the vein is a fringed fold, called
the plica fimbriata.

• The tongue contains a number of lingual glands.

• The root of the tongue rests on the floor of the mouth and is attached
to the mandible and hyoid bone. The nerves, vessels, and extrinsic
muscles enter or leave the tongue through its root.
• Muscles of tongue.
• All the muscles are
bilateral, being partially
separated by a median
septum.
• Intrinsic muscles are
arranged in several
planes.
• The genioglossus is a
vertically placed fan-
shaped muscle that is in
contact with its fellow
medially.

The attachment of the

genioglossi to the
mandible prevents the
tongue from falling
backward and obstructing
respiration.
The hyoglossus, flat and
quadrilateral, is largely
concealed by the
mylohyoid muscle.
• The glossopharyngeal
nerve, stylohyoid
ligament, and lingual
artery pass deep to
the posterior border of
the hyoglossus.
• With the exception of
the palatoglossus, all
the muscles of the
tongue are supplied
by the hypoglossal
nerve.
• Blood supply
• The main artery is the
lingual artery a branch
of the external carotid.
It is accompanied by
lingual veins. The
deep lingual vein (or
ranine vein) can be
seen in the floor of the
mouth at the side of
the frenulum. The
various veins of the
tongue drain ultimately
into the internal
jugular.

Lymphatic drainage
The lymphatic drainage is to the submental, submandibular, deep cervical nodes,
and extensive communications occur across the median plane.
• Sensory innervations

• The anterior two thirds of the

tongue is supplied by
– (1) the lingual nerve (of the
mandibular nerve) for general
sensation and by
– (2) the chorda tympani (a branch
of the facial nerve that runs in the
lingual nerve) for taste.
• The posterior third of the tongue
and the vallate papillae are
supplied by the glossopharyngeal
nerve for both general sensation
and taste.
• The nerves for taste are cranial
nerves VII, IX, and X.
• The internal branch of the vagus is
responsible for general sensation
and taste near the epiglottis.
 Tooth
• Classification of Teeth
• Teeth are classified according to their shape and
function
– Incisors – chisel-shaped teeth adapted for cutting or
nipping
– Canines – conical or fanglike teeth that tear or pierce
– Premolars (bicuspids) and molars – have broad
crowns with rounded tips and are best suited for
grinding or crushing
• During chewing, upper and lower molars lock
together generating crushing force
 Tooth Structure
• Two main regions – crown and the root
• Crown – exposed part of the tooth above
the gingiva (gum)
• Enamel – acellular, brittle material
composed of calcium salts and
hydroxyapatite crystals is the hardest
substance in the body
– Encapsules the crown of the tooth
• Root – portion of the tooth embedded in
the jawbone
 Tooth Structure
• Neck – constriction where the crown
and root come together
• Cementum – calcified connective
tissue
– Covers the root
– Attaches it to the periodontal ligament
• Dentin – bonelike material deep to
the enamel cap that forms the bulk of
the tooth
• Pulp cavity surrounded by dentin that
contains pulp
• Pulp – connective tissue, blood
vessels, and nerves
• Root canal – portion of the pulp cavity
that extends into the root
• Apical foramen – proximal opening to
the root canal
• Odontoblasts – secrete and maintain
dentin throughout life
• TOOTH
     Nonstained
• 1 - enamel
2 - dentine
3 - Retcius lines
4 - dentine tubules

TOOTH DEVELOPMENT -
ENAMEL ORGAN
     Stained with H&E
1, 3, 4 - enamel organ
1 - internal cells of the enamel
organ (these cells will be
ameloblsats)
2 - dental papilla
3 - external cells of the enamel
organ
4 - cells forming the main bulk of
the enamel organ (stellate
reticulum)
5 - dental follicle
6 - epithelium of oral cavity
• TOOTH DEVELOPMENT -
FORMATION OF DENTAL
TISSUES
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - ameloblasts (former external
cells of the enamel organ)
2 - enamel
3 - dentine (predentine)
4 - odontoblasts (cells which
covered the top of dental papilla)
5 - dental pulp (former dental
papilla)

TOOTH DEVELOPMENT -
FORMATION OF DENTAL TISSUES
     Stained with H&E
1 - ameloblasts
2 - enamel
3 - dentine (predentine)
4 - odontoblasts
5 - dental pulp
  border between enamel and dentine
  is marked with dot line
Salivary Glands
• Produce and secrete
saliva that:
– Cleanses the mouth
– Moistens and dissolves
food chemicals
– Assist in bolus formation
– Contains enzymes that
break down starch
• Three pairs of extrinsic
glands – parotid,
submandibular, and
sublingual
• Intrinsic salivary glands
(buccal glands) –
scattered throughout
the oral mucosa
• Parotid – lies
anterior to the ear
between the
masseter muscle
and skin
– Parotid duct –
opens into the
vestibule next to
the second upper
molar
• Submandibular – lies
along the medial aspect of
the mandibular body
Its ducts open at the
base of the lingual
frenulum.
• Sublingual – lies anterior
to the submandibular gland
under the tongue
It opens via 10-12
ducts into the floor of
the mouth.
• the major blood
vessels in the area of
the salivary glands.
• 1 = retromandibular
vein,
• 2 = external carotid
artery,
• 3 = facial artery and
vein,
• 4 = lingual artery and
vein,
• 5 = external carotid
artery,
• 6 = internal jugular
vein,
• 7 = external jugular
vein.
 Saliva: Source and Composition

• Secreted from serous and mucous

cells of salivary glands
• A 97-99.5% water, hypo-osmotic,
slightly acidic solution containing
– Electrolytes – Na+, K+, Cl–, PO42–, HCO3–
– Digestive enzyme – salivary amylase
– Proteins – mucin, lysozyme, defensins,
and IgA
– Metabolic wastes – urea and uric acid
• PAROTID SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - serous secretory units
(acini)
2 - intercalated excretory
duct
3 - striated excretory duct
4 - interlobular excretory
duct
5 - interlobular connective
tissue septa
PAROTID SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
1 - serous secretory units
2 - striated excretory duct
3 - interlobular excretory duct
• PAROTID SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
1 - serous secretory
units
2 - intercalated
excretory duct
3 - striated excretory
duct
PAROTID SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
1 - serous secretory units
2 - myoepithelial cells
4 - interlobular excretory duct
5 - interlobular connective tissue septa
• PAROTID SALIVARY GLAND
interlobular excretory duct
     Stained with H&E
1 - interlobular
excretory duct
2 - interlobular
connective tissue
septa

SUBLINGUAL SALIVARY GLAND

     Stained with H&E
1 - lobules of the gland
2 - interlobular connective tissue septa
3 - interlobular excretory duct
• SUBLINGUAL SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - mucous part of mixed secretory unit
2 - serous part of mixed secretory unit
3 - serous secretory unit
4 - mucous secretory unit
5 - intercalated excretory duct
6 - striated excretory duct
7 - interlobular excretory duct
8 - interlobular connective tissue septa

SUBLINGUAL SALIVARY GLAND

     Stained with H&E
1 - mucous part of mixed secretory
unit
2 - serous part (serous demilune) of
      mixed secretory unit
3 - serous secretory unit
4 - mucous secretory unit
5 - myoepithelial cells
SUBMANDIBULAR
SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E

1 - serous secretory unit

2 - mixed secretory unit
3 - intercalated excretory
duct
4 - striated excretory
duct
5 - interlobular excretory
duct
6 - interlobular
connective tissue septa
7 - mucous part of mixed
secretory unit
8 - serous part (serous
demilune) of
      mixed secretory unit
• SUBMANDIBULAR
SALIVARY GLAND
     Stained with H&E
• 1 - serous secretory unit
2 - mixed secretory unit
3 - intercalated excretory
duct
4 - striated excretory duct
 Control of Salivation
• Intrinsic glands keep the mouth
moist
• Extrinsic salivary glands secrete
serous, enzyme-rich saliva in
response to:
– Ingested food which stimulates
chemoreceptors and
pressoreceptors
– The thought of food
• Strong sympathetic stimulation
inhibits salivation and results in
dry mouth