2 course М-39-1-18, М-39-2-18 10.04.2020 Study 8. Structure and functions of organs and tissues of the mouth. Mucous membrane of the oral cavity Oral cavity Oral cavity consists of two parts: anterior – vestibule, posterior – oral cavity proper, including tongue, teeth, their supporting tissues (alveolar bone, periodontal ligaments), salivary glands and tonsils. Lips Red border of the lips is a transition zone (line of Klain). Cheeks Mucous membrane of the cheeks is mobile. Gums Gingiva consists of three areas: the marginal gingival, alveolar gingiva, gingival papillae. Hard palate The mucosa of the hard palate in the region of palatal suture and close to the alveolar bone has no submucosa. Near the central incisors there is incisive papilla. Soft palate The mucous membrane of the soft palate is characterized by the presence of a significant amount of elastic fibers on the border of the lamina propria of the mucosa and submucosa. Tongue Tongue is a muscular organ of the mouth. Salivary glands There are major and minor salivary glands. Minor salivary glands are located in the submucosal layer of the oral cavity. Parotid glands are the largest pair of glands. Excretory duct a valve that regulates the release of the secret. Parotid glands produces serous secretion. Its amount depends on the organism condition, sight and smell of food. Cells of the parotid gland take part in removing toxins and remedies from the organism. Parotid glands are endocrine glands, as their secret parotin includes in mineral and protein metabolism. Sensitive, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves takes part in the innervations of the parotid salivary glands. Facial nerve passes through the parotid gland. Submandibular salivary gland produces serous secretion. Excretory ducts open on the sublingual gland papillae, on the bottom of oral cavity. Gland is supplied with blood by chin and lingual arteries. Submandibular gland is innervated by branches of submandibular ganglion. Major are: Parotid glands (located in the temporal region and having Stensen duct). Submandibular glands (located in the submandibular triangle of the neck and having Wharton duct); Sublingual glands (lying inferior to the tongue, having a number of small excretory ducts). .