Oral Anatomy: Floor of the Mouth and Palate

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary color and appearance of the floor of the mouth in a healthy individual?

Yellow and dry

Gray and rough

White and thick

Reddish-pink and moist (correct)

Which layer is most prominent in the histology of the floor of the mouth?

Dense connective tissue

Keratinized epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium

Thin epithelium (correct)

What structure contributes to the shiny and moist appearance of the floor of the mouth?

Muscle fibers

Mucosal folds

Salivary glands (correct)

Alveolar bones

What is the function of the muscles associated with the floor of the mouth?

To enable tongue movement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nerves is primarily associated with the innervation of the floor of the mouth?

Trigeminal nerve Signup and view all the answers

How is the palate classified based on its structure?

Hard and soft Signup and view all the answers

Which feature helps to distinguish the appearance of the floor of the mouth from other oral mucosa?

Vascularity with blue veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for recognizing the appearance of the floor of the mouth in health and disease?

To identify clinical changes early Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is located in the anterior region of the soft palate?

Uvula Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature serves as a landmark for the sublingual gland in the floor of the mouth?

Sublingual papilla Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is found on the ventral surface of the tongue?

Sublingual papilla Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical structure is primarily responsible for the separation of oral and nasal cavities?

Hard palate Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the palatine rugae?

Aids in manipulating food during chewing Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium is found in the floor of the mouth (FoM)?

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which artery supplies blood to the hard palate?

Greater palatine artery Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve primarily innervates the soft palate?

Lesser palatine nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical appearance of the soft palate in terms of color?

Reddish pink Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the type of mucosa found in the hard palate?

Masticatory mucosa Signup and view all the answers

The mylohyoid muscle mainly serves which purpose in the floor of the mouth?

Raising the floor of the mouth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the histology of the hard palate is correct?

It contains a thick lamina propria. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary nerve responsible for the sensation in the hard palate?

Greater palatine nerve Signup and view all the answers

What describes the trophism of the soft palate mucosa?

Moist and elastic Signup and view all the answers

How is the clinical appearance of the floor of the mouth characterized?

Moist with blue veins Signup and view all the answers

What muscle primarily depresses the tongue?

Hyoglossus Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is true regarding the lamina propria in the soft palate?

It contains abundant collagen fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is primarily associated with the innervation of the floor of the mouth?

Trigeminal nerve Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Floor of the Mouth (FOM)

Horseshoe shape, thin, sensitive, and easily traumatized, due to its thin epithelium.
Posterior part is not movable, creating the area of the tongue.
Clinical Appearance:
- Reddish-pink appearance due to thin epithelium.
- Vascular blue in areas of veins.
- Shiny and moist due to salivary glands.
- Compressible and bouncy due to loosely attached underlying muscles allowing tongue movement.

Palate

Hard Palate:
- Firm, immobile, pink color, keratinized epithelium with no submucosa.
- Thicker medially and softer laterally.
- Innervated by the greater palatine and nasopalatine nerves.
- Blood supply: greater palatine artery.
Soft Palate:
- Moist, elastic, reddish-pink, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with a thick submucosa.
- Innervated by the lesser palatine nerve.
- Blood supply: lesser palatine arteries.

Muscles of the FOM

Mylohyoid: Origin: inner surface of mandible, Insertion: midline raphe, Action: elevates floor of mouth, Nerve Supply: Mylohyoid nerve, Blood Supply: Inferior alveolar, sublingual, and submental arteries.
Geniohyoid: Origin: medial surface of mandible, Insertion: hyoid bone, Action: elevates hyoid bone, shortens floor of mouth, widens pharynx, Nerve supply: Hypoglossal nerve, Blood supply: Lingual artery (sublingual branch).
Hyoglossus: Origin: hyoid bone, Insertion: lateral edges of tongue, Action: depresses and retracts tongue, Nerve supply: Hypoglossal nerve, Blood supply: Lingual artery

Summary Table

Feature	FOM	Hard Palate	Soft Palate
Clinical Appearance	Reddish-pink, shiny, moist, compressible	Pink, firm, immobile	Reddish-pink, moist, elastic
Epithelium	Non-keratinized stratified squamous	Keratinized stratified squamous	Non-keratinized stratified squamous
Lamina Propria	Thick	Thick	Thick
Submucosa	Yes	No	Yes

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Description

Explore the intricate details of the floor of the mouth and palate in this quiz. Learn about the anatomical features, clinical appearance, and muscle structures associated with these oral regions. Test your knowledge on the differences between the hard and soft palate and their functions.