Buccal cavity is a component of which organ system?

Ans: (1)

Key Points

Buccal Cavity – Part of the Alimentary Canal:

1. System Involved:

• The buccal cavity is a key component of the digestive system, marking the starting point of digestion.

2. Structures Found in the Buccal Cavity:

• Teeth: Involved in mechanical breakdown of food through chewing (mastication).

• Tongue: Helps in mixing food, tasting, and initiating swallowing.

• Salivary glands: Secrete saliva containing enzymes like amylase to begin carbohydrate digestion.

• Hard and Soft Palates: Separate the oral and nasal cavities and assist in swallowing.

3. Main Functions:

• Ingestion: Entry point for food into the digestive tract.

• Mastication: Chewing food to aid mechanical digestion.

• Salivation: Moistens food and starts enzymatic digestion.

• Swallowing: Forms the chewed food into a bolus and pushes it into the pharynx.

4. Alternate Names:

• Also known as the oral cavity or simply the mouth.