80 



ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY 



to the place where the nose and mouth cavities come together 

 to form the throat or pharynx. From the back edges of the 

 soft palate, just in the middle, hangs down the uvula, a ver- 

 tically placed piece 

 of connective tissue 

 and muscle, half an 

 inch long and about 

 a quarter of an inch 

 thick. The uvula 

 sometimes becomes 

 swollen and elon- 

 gated until it hangs 

 down on the tongue 

 and even into the 

 throat. It then pro- 

 duces a slight tick- 

 ling which excites a 

 cough. A physician 

 sometimes cures dis- 

 eases of the throat 



Showing a surface view of the brain, and the mouth by removing a piece 



_ 



Spinal Cord--"' 



FlG. 40. A SECTION THROUGH THE HEAD 



and nasal cavities. 



Q f 



In these days of hurry and stress, too much emphasis cannot 

 be placed on the necessity of thoroughly chewing the food. 

 If swallowed in large pieces, only the surface of these will b( 

 easily dissolved. 



DIGESTION IN THE MOUTH 



While food is being crushed into small pieces by the teeth, 

 it is mixed with the liquids in the mouth until thorough!; 

 moist. The membranes of the mouth are kept wet 

 a mucous fluid that exudes from their surfaces and is 

 mixed with the food, upon which it really has no special 

 effect. As soon as the food enters the mouth and in- 

 deed, sometimes before for the mere sight of food or 



