49. How does the human mouth Llook
from inide?
Our mouth performs three important functions: a) It is the starting
point of the digestive system. Food is taken in here and the process
of digestion starts from here.
b) It is a passage between the pharynx and the outside of the body
and can, thus, be used for breathing, when air from nose is
inadequate, e.g. during vigorous exercise.
c) It plays an important role in speech. The mouth is a hollow cavity
and has teeth in front. The floor of the mouth is formed from sheets
of muscle tissues which are attached to the inner surfaces of the
jawbone known as mandible.
Cheeks are the sidewalls of the mouth, while the palate forms the
roof. Palate is a thin sheet of tissue which seperates the mouth from
the nasal cavities.
The mouth cavity joins the pharynx at the back. The mouth is lined
by the mucous membrane.
