What it means
The opening where digestion begins. The teeth break food down, saliva starts to digest starch and the tongue moves food back to be swallowed. The inside is lined with moist mucous membrane, which shows changes in hydration, color and infection.
For the nurse
Inspect the mouth for dryness, sores, white patches, bleeding gums and loose teeth or dentures. Give mouth care at least twice a day, and more often for clients who are NPO, on oxygen or on a breathing machine, which lowers the risk of pneumonia.
At a glance
| Spanish | cavidad bucal |
|---|---|
| Also written | oral cavities |
Related terms
gloss/o
A word part that means tongue.
hygiene
Care of the body to keep it clean and healthy, such as bathing, mouth care, hair and nail care.
pharyng/o
A word part that means the pharynx, the throat.
gastrointestinal tract
The long tube that food passes through, from the mouth to the anus.