The human mouth (also called oral cavity) is a wonderfully designed machine with many different parts that operate all together to keep us alive, healthy and happy. The mouth plays the most important part in the human digestive system.

Basic parts of the mouth

• The upper jaw (maxilla) is part of the skull.
• The lower jaw (mandible) is connected with the upper jaw and with ability to move up and down and also side to side.
• The teeth and gums.
• The muscles which helps in jaw movement and creating facial expressions.
• The tongue
• The salivary glands that pour the saliva into the mouth.

Functions of Human Mouth and Teeth

Eating and Swallowing

The parts of the human mouth operate like a super mincing machine where

• the teeth cuts, tears, shreds, and grinds the food
• saliva moistens the food vaction of the tongue and the cheeks mix it all up so that it is easy to swallow Tiny pimples (elevations) on the surface of the tongue, the 'taste buds' tell you what you are tasting.

Speaking

• From the first yell of a new born baby the human mouth mixes the sounds which come up from the vocal chords in the throat.
• All the different sounds which people make when they talk and sing depend on the way they use their LIPS - TONGUE –TEETH.

Expression