 Mouth
cavity
Food may be bitten off by the incisors and then chewed (masticated)
by the cheek teeth. Mastication is important because it breaks down food
in to smaller particles. It gives a much larger surface area for enzyme
action. The sight, taste and smell of food produces saliva from the ducts
of the salivary glands - in the cheeks in front of the ears, under
the tongue and under the lower jaw.
Saliva contains:
i) the enzyme salivary amylase
ii) salts - sodium chloride and hydrogen carbonate to provide a near
neutral medium
Tongue movements mix the food particles with saliva then the particles
are collected into a ball (bolus) prior to swallowing |
