Introduction

Abstract

The oral cavity is an important part of the skull with multiple physiologic functions such as deglutition including biting and mastication, swallowing, phonation, and respiration. Hence, a healthy and functioning oral cavity is a prerequisite for life and well-being. Unique structures of the oral cavity include the teeth, the gingiva, and the tongue that are all highly specialized tissues, in particular for eating and speaking, and, as such, are not found in other parts of the body. The oral cavity is located in the lower and anterior part of the skull. The bones around the oral cavity (mandible, maxilla, palatine bones) belong to the facial skeleton, i.e., the viscerocranium. In contrast the upper and dorsal portion of the skull contributes to the neurocranium that contains the brain.