Master Oral Cavity with Picmonic for Pre-Health

The mouth is the start of the digestive tract where food is inserted for consumption.

Mechanical digestion, or mastication, is the primary function of the mouth, and it involves breaking up large food into smaller particles to increase the surface area to volume ratio.

Salivary glands secrete salivary amylase to hydrolyze starches into smaller sugars, beginning the breakdown of carbohydrates.

Lingual lipase is a digestive enzyme that works to break down triglycerides into glycerides and fatty acids. It is released into the mouth alongside saliva and is the first step in lipid digestion, taking place in the mouth.

The esophagus is the connector that pushes food exiting the mouth into the stomach actively with muscle contraction. The top of the esophagus has muscle cells under voluntary control for swallowing. However, the lower two-thirds of the esophagus is under involuntary control through the autonomic nervous system.

The bolus is a ball of food formed at the end of the mouth by the muscular tongue. The bolus travels down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Peristalsis is a wave-like symmetrical contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the esophagus. It is responsible for the involuntary control of the swallowing mechanism.