فم (جوف الفم) وحنك الفم

The Mouth (Oral Cavity)

• The mouth (oral cavity) is composed of skeletal muscles and lateral walls (cheeks).
• Cheeks are covered externally by skin.
• Lips (labia) are composed of muscle and covered by skin externally and mucous membrane internally.
• The inner surface of each lip is attached to its corresponding gum via a fold of mucous membrane called the labial frenulum.
• The space between the cheeks and lips is called the vestibule.
• The space extending from the gums and teeth anteriorly to the fauces posteriorly is the oral cavity proper.
• The fauces connect the oral cavity to the oropharynx.

Roof of the Mouth (Palate)

• The anterior two-thirds of the palate is formed by the maxillae and palatine bones, covered by mucous membrane.
• It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.
• The posterior one-third of the palate is the soft palate.
• The soft palate is a muscular partition covered by mucous membrane.
• It has a finger-like process called the uvula hanging down from its free border.
• On either side of the base of the uvula are muscular folds:
  • palatoglossal arch (anteriorly)
  • palatopharyngeal arch (posteriorly).
  • These arches lie between the nasopharynx and oropharynx.