17. Basic functions of the oral cavity and the masticatory system. Digestion. Physiologic articulation cycles.
Covers the functions of the oral cavity, from biting and chewing through swallowing in three reflex and voluntary stages, and the forces acting on the teeth during mastication, with a summary table of maximum, masticatory and specific forces. Also describes the three phases of one physiologic chewing cycle, shown in a diagram of the lower incisor path, and notes how premature contacts disturb it.
Topic 17 of 75 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Preclinics of Dental Prosthetics (Dental Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 5 sections, about 240 words (3 min of reading), with 13 flashcards.
In this note
Introduction
Functions of the oral cavity
From bite to swallow
Forces of mastication
The chewing cycle
Introduction
The mouth bites, chews and swallows; it also shapes speech, helps breathing, tastes, and with the saliva keeps everything moist. Each of these functions puts its own demands on a prosthesis.
From bite to swallow
Intake: food is placed in the mouth and the incisors bite off a piece.
Mastication: the tongue carries the piece onto the back teeth; tongue and cheeks keep pushing it back between them. It is crushed, mixed with saliva and formed into a soft bolus.
Oral phase of swallowing (voluntary): the tongue presses the bolus against the palate and pushes it back into the oropharynx.
Pharyngeal phase (reflex): the soft palate closes off the nose, the larynx rises and closes, and the pharynx squeezes the bolus down.
Oesophageal phase (reflex): waves of contraction carry the bolus to the stomach.
When swallowing, the teeth normally come together briefly in the intercuspal position, and the mandible is braced against the maxilla.
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