Floor of Mouth and palate medium

Floor of Mouth

• The floor of the mouth (FOM) is a very vascular, thin structure, with a connective tissue layer called the lamina propria that underlies the epithelium
• The thin epithelium allows the blood vessels to be seen through it, causing the characteristic red color of the FOM
• The FOM is loosely attached to the underlying muscle, allowing some movement of the tongue during speech
• The FOM is supported by three muscles: mylohyoid, hyoglossus, and geniohyoid

Mylohyoid muscle

• The mylohyoid muscle is a paired muscle that forms the floor of the mouth
• It runs from the mylohyoid line on one side of the medial surface of the mandible, to the same line on the other side
• The muscle's fibers run medially and downwards to insert into the anterior surface of the body of the hyoid bone
• It is responsible for positioning the hyoid bone during speech and swallowing

Features of the FOM

• The lingual frenum is a fold of tissue found in the midline near the base of the tongue
• The sublingual papillae are centrally positioned protrusions at the base of the tongue, where submandibular and sublingual salivary ducts open
• Mandibular tori are bony swellings found sublingually to the premolar region
• The ventral surface of the tongue is covered in a thin, non-keratinized epithelium, which gives it a deeper pink appearance

The Soft Palate

• The soft palate is a muscular posterior margin of the soft palate, extending downwards and backwards
• The uvula is a prominent bulge that extends from the free border of the soft palate
• The pillars of the fauces are two folds of tissue on each side of the soft palate:
  • The anterior pillar is the palatoglossal arch
  • The posterior pillar is the palatopharyngeal arch
• The tonsillar fossa is a depression between the pillars of the fauces that houses the palatine tonsil
• The pterygomandibular fold is a fold of tissue that separates the cheek from the throat

Hard Palate

• The hard palate is a bony structure covered in a thick layer of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which protects it from trauma
• The hard palate is firm and immobile due to its attachment to bone

Changes in the Soft Palate

• The soft palate can be affected by a number of conditions, such as oral candidiasis and aphthous ulcers
• Oral candidiasis is characterized by white patches on the soft palate
• Aphthous ulcers are painful sores that appear on the soft palate
• Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that can affect the soft palate and is characterized by an irregular, whitish lesion, requiring urgent referral

Comparing the FOM and Hard/Soft Palate

• The FOM is covered in a thin, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which gives it a red color
• The hard palate is covered in a thick, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which gives it a pink color and a more firm texture
• The soft palate is covered in a thinner, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which gives it a deeper pink or yellowish color and a more compressible and elastic texture

Explore the intricate structures and functions of the floor of the mouth in this quiz. From its vascular nature to the supporting muscles, enhance your understanding of how this region aids in speech and swallowing. Perfect for students of anatomy and physiology.