Landmarks of the Face and Oral Cavity

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this chapter, the student will be able to achieve the following objectives:

Electronic Resources

Additional information related to content in Chapter 10 can be found on the companion Evolve Web site.

Key Terms

Ala (AY-lah) Winglike tip of the outer side of each nostril; plural, alae.

Angle of the mandible The lower posterior of the ramus.

Angular cheilosis Inflammation at the corners of the mouth that may be caused by nutritional deficiency of the B complex vitamins, but most commonly is a fungal condition.

Anterior faucial pillar Anterior arch of the soft palate.

Anterior naris (NAY-ris) The nostril; plural, nares.

Buccal vestibule Area between the cheeks and the teeth or alveolar ridge.

Canthus (KAN-thus) Fold of tissue at the corner of the eyelids.

Filiform papillae Threadlike elevations that cover most of the tongue.

Fordyce’s (FOR-dise-ez) spots Normal variations that may appear on the buccal mucosa.

Frenum (FRE-num) Band of tissue that passes from the facial oral mucosa at the midline of the arch to the midline of the inner surface of the lip; also called frenulum; plural, frenula.

Fungiform papillae Knoblike projections on the tongue.

Gingiva (JIN-ji-vuh) Masticatory mucosa that covers the alveolar processes of the jaws and surrounds the necks of the teeth; plural, gingivae.

Glabella (glah-BEL-uh) Smooth surface of the frontal bone; also, the anatomic part directly above the root of the nose.

Incisive papilla Pear-shaped pad of tissue that covers the incisive foramen.

Isthmus of fauces The opening between the two arches of the soft palate.

Labia The gateway to the oral cavity; commonly known as “lips.”

Labial (LAY-bee-ul) commissure The angle at the corner of the mouth where the upper and lower lips join.

Labial frenum Band of tissue that passes from the facial oral mucosa at the midline of the arch to the midline of the inner surface of the lip; also called frenulum; plural, frenula.

Linea alba Normal variation noted on the buccal mucosa.

Lingual frenum The thin fold of mucous membrane that extends from the floor of the mouth to the underside of the tongue.

Mental protuberance Part of the mandible that forms the chin.

Mucobuccal fold Base of the vestibule where the buccal mucosa meets the alveolar mucosa.

Mucogingival junction Distinct line of color change in the tissue where the alveolar membrane meets with attached gingivae.

Nasion (NAY-ze-on) Midpoint between the eyes just below the eyebrows.

Nasolabial sulcus The groove extending upward between the labial commissure and the nasal ala.

Oral cavity proper The space on the tongue side within the upper and lower dental arches.

Parotid papilla Small elevation of tissue located on the inner surface of the cheek.

Philtrum (FIL-trum) Rectangular area from under the nose to the midline of the upper lip.

Posterior faucial pillar Posterior arch of the soft palate.

Root Facial landmark commonly called the “bridge” of the nose.

Septum (SEP-tum) 1. Dental dam material located between the holes of the punched dam. 2. Tissue that divides the nasal cavity into two nasal fossae.

Tragus (TRAY-gus) Cartilaginous projection anterior to the external opening of the ear.

Uvula Pear-shaped projection at the end of the soft palate.

Vallate papillae The largest papillae on the tongue, arranged in the form of a V.

Vermilion (vur-MIL-yun) border Darker-colored border around the lips.

Vestibule Space between the teeth and the inner mucosal lining of the lips and cheeks.

Zygomatic arch The arch formed when the temporal process of the zygomatic bone articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.

The dental assistant must be thoroughly knowledgeable about the landmarks of the face and oral cavity. In addition to serving as useful reference points for dental radiography and other procedures, facial features provide essential landmarks for many deeper structures. Any deviation from normal in surface features may be clinically significant.

You may wish to examine your own face and mouth or those of a partner. An operatory with a dental chair and a light is an ideal setting. However, use of a flashlight and a tongue depressor in the laboratory setting is adequate for intraoral inspection.