THE MOUTH, ORAL OP, BUCCAL CAVITY 



1203 



are circular in form, and of small size; their ducts open by minute orifices upon 

 the surface of the mucous membrane. In structure they resemble the salivary 

 glands. 



The Cheeks (buccae) form the sides of the face and are continuous in front with 

 the lips. They are composed externally of integument, internally of mucous 

 membrane, and between the two of a muscular stratum, besides a large quantity 

 of fat, areolar tissue, vessels, nerves, and buccal glands. 



The MUCOUS Membrane. The mucous membrane lining the cheek is reflected above and 

 below upon the gums, where its color becomes lighter; it is continuous behind with the lining 

 membrane of the soft palate. It is composed of stratified squamous epithelial cells that rest 

 upon a basement membrane and papillated tunica propria that consists of fibroelastic tissue 

 supporting the smaller vessels and nerves. Opposite the second molar tooth of the upper jaw is 

 a papilla, the summit of which presents the aperture of the parotid duct (ductus parotideus 

 [Stenonis]) (Fig. 946). The principal muscle of the cheek is the Buccinator, but numerous 

 other muscles enter into its formation viz., the Zygomatici, Risorius, and Platysma. 



The Buccal Glands (glandulae buccales). The buccal glands are placed in the submucous 

 tissue between the mucous membrane and Buccinator muscle; they are similar in structure to 

 the labial glands, but smaller. Four or five glands of larger size than the previously mentioned 

 glands are placed beneath the mucous membrane in the neighborhood of the last molar tooth. 

 They are called the molar glands (glandulae molar es). Their ducts open into the mouth opposite 

 the last molar tooth. The fat pad of the cheek (corpus adiposum buccae) has been described on 

 page 376. 



ANTERIOR 

 PILLAR 



POSTERIOR 

 PILLAR 



FIG. 914. Antero-inferior surface of the soft palate. The tongue has been removed, so that the pharyngeal 



isthmus is distinctly seen. (Luschka.) 



The Gums (gingivae) are composed of a dense fibrous tissue, closely connected 

 to the periosteum of the alveolar processes and surrounding the necks of the teeth. 

 They are covered by smooth and vascular mucous membrane, which is remarkable 



