The Anatomy of the Oral Cavity
The Larynx and Breathing
The larynx, or voice box, is a cartilaginous structure that produces sound when air passes through it. The vocal cords, located within the larynx, vibrate to create sound waves that are then modified by the mouth and nasal cavities to produce speech. Breathing, in addition to its essential role in gas exchange, also provides the airflow necessary for sound production.
The Mouth Cavity Proper
The mouth cavity proper, also known as the oral cavity, is bounded laterally and anteriorly by the alveolar arches and their teeth. The roof of the mouth is formed by the hard and soft palates, and the floor of the mouth is formed by the muscles of the tongue and the mylohyoid muscle.
The Fauces
The fauces, also known as the oropharyngeal isthmus, is the opening at the back of the mouth into the throat. It is a narrow passage bounded anteriorly by the base of the tongue and posteriorly by the palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles.
The Oropharyngeal Isthmus
The oropharyngeal isthmus is the short region located directly behind the mouth cavity and bounded superiorly by the soft palate and inferiorly by the base of the tongue. It is a continuation of the oral cavity and leads into the oropharynx.
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