| Synonyms: |
adult mouth,
cavital oralis,
cavitas oris,
cavum oris,
mouth cavity,
oral region,
oral vestibule,
regio oralis,
rima oris,
stoma,
stomatodaeum,
trophic apparatus,
vestibule of mouth,
vestibulum oris
|
| Definition: |
The proximal portion of the digestive tract, containing the oral cavity and bounded by the oral opening. In vertebrates, this extends to the pharynx and includes gums, lips, tongue and parts of the palate. Typically also includes the teeth, except where these occur elsewhere (e.g. pharyngeal jaws) or protrude from the mouth (tusks). |