The main difference between buccal cavity and oral cavity is that the buccal cavity is a region with salivary glands that secrete saliva for digestion and speech, whereas the oral cavity is an anatomical region that occurs inside the mouth, containing tongue, teeth, gums, tonsils, and papillae.
The buccal and oral cavities are two types of spaces inside the human mouth. Their functions include the digestion of food and speech.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Buccal Cavity
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Oral Cavity
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Buccal Cavity and Oral Cavity
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Buccal Cavity and Oral Cavity
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Buccal Cavity, Oral Cavity
What is Buccal Cavity
The buccal cavity refers to the structure of the mouth surrounded by the lips and cheeks of the face. The buccinator muscle occurs in the face of this area. It contains all the salivary glands that secrete saliva. The buccal cavity also contains the tongue, teeth, gums, tonsils, and papillae. Therefore, the main function of the buccal cavity is to undergo digestion of food, both enzymatically by the enzymes secreted in saliva and mechanically by teeth. Another function of the buccal cavity is to aid in speech by the secreted saliva.
Figure 1: The Buccal Cavity
Furthermore, the buccal cavity is primarily made up of mucous membranes. Generally, this mucous membrane contains two layers. The innermost layer of the mucous membrane is the mucosa. It also contains glands to secrete mucus. On the other hand, the second layer is the mucous membrane is the submucosa. Normally, it contains blood vessels and nerves. In general, the buccal nerve innervates the gingiva of the buccal cavity containing mandibular molar teeth.
What is Oral Cavity
The oral cavity is the anatomical region that occurs surrounded by lips. The oral cavity is the opening of the alimentary canal. It also contains three anatomical structures, including the buccal cavity, the pharynx, and the nasal cavity. Therefore, the anatomical structures that occur in the oral cavity include the tongue, cheeks, gums, teeth, tonsils, uvula, lips, palate, pharynx, and nasal cavity. The oral cavity’s main function is to digest food, aid in speech, and inhale and exhale air.
Figure 2: Oral Cavity
Moreover, the oral cavity is made up of four layers. Generally, the top layer of the oral cavity is the mucosa. It is the mucous membrane that surrounds the buccal cavity. The second layer is the connective tissue layer that holds the mucous membrane in the cavity. In addition, the muscle layer serves as the third layer. Generally, the muscle layer allows the movement of the tongue and the other muscles in the oral cavity. The fourth layer of the oral cavity is the mucous membrane again.
Similarities Between Buccal Cavity and Oral Cavity
- The buccal and oral cavities are two anatomical structures that occur in the mouth.
- Their function is to aid in digestion and speech.
- They contain teeth, lips, and gums.
Difference Between Buccal Cavity and Oral Cavity
Definition
The buccal cavity refers to a body opening or the mouth as to which food (and air) enters the body of an animal or human, while the oral cavity refers to the space extending from the lips anteriorly to faucial pillars posteriorly and is bounded laterally by the cheeks.
Significance
While the buccal cavity is a part of the oral cavity, the oral cavity is the opening of the alimentary canal.
Anatomy
The buccal cavity contains the tongue, teeth, gums, tonsils, and papillae, while the oral cavity contains lips, the floor of the mouth, the bony roof of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth.
Function
The main function of the buccal cavity is to aid in digestion and speech, while the main function of the oral cavity is to serve as the opening of the alimentary canal.
Layers
The buccal cavity contains two layers; they are the mucosa and submucosa, while the oral cavity contains four layers; they are the mucosa, connective tissue, muscle, and mucosa.
Conclusion
In brief, the buccal cavity and oral cavity are two types of anatomical structures that occur in the mouth. In general, the buccal cavity contains the tongue, teeth, gums, and papillae. It also contains the salivary glands. Therefore, the functions of the mouth include digestion and speech. In comparison, the oral cavity contains the lips, the floor of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth. Hence, the main function of the oral cavity is to serve as the opening of the alimentary canal of humans. Therefore, the main difference between buccal cavity and oral cavity is the anatomy and function.
References:
- “Human mouth.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
- “Blausen 0653 MouthAnatomy” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Illu01 head neck” By Arcadian – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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