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Figure 3-21.—Anatomy of the palate | Up
Dental Volume 1 - Dentist training manual for military dentists | Next
Chapter 4 Oral Anatomy |
during certain dental procedures. Table 3-5 lists the
three major salivary glands.
MASTICATION AND DEGLUTITION
The mastication process includes the biting and
tearing of food into manageable pieces. This usually
involves using the incisors and cuspid teeth. The
grinding of food is usually performed by the molars
and premolars. During the mastication process, food is
moistened and mixed with saliva.
Deglutition is the swallowing of food and involves
a complex and coordinated process. It is divided into
three phases; the first phase of swallowing is
voluntarily; phases two and three are involuntary.
Phase one: the collection and swallowing of
masticated food.
Phase two: passage of food through the pharynx
into the beginning of the esophagus.
Phase three: the passage of food into the
stomach.
Table 3-5.—List of the Three Major Salivary Glands
Gland
Sublingual
Location
Duct
Description
On each side underneath
Multiple separate ducts
Smallest of salivary glands,
the tongue, in the floor of
secretes, thick stringy mucus.
the mouth
Submandibular Posterior portion of
mandible, lingual to
mandibular incisors
Parotid
Inside cheek, opposite
maxillary second molar
Opens under the tongue,
Walnut sized. Secretes watery fluid
close to the frenulum
with some mucus. More viscous
(thick) than parotid secretion.
Parotid ducts go through
Largest of salivary glands. Secretes
the buccinator muscles and
clear watery fluid.
enter the mouth opposite
maxillary second molars
3-14
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