What is the major function of buccal cavity?

Options

A. Mastication of food
B. Facilitation of absorption
C. Facilitation of swalowing
D. Both 1 and 3

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Buccal Cavity**: The buccal cavity, also known as the oral cavity, is the initial part of the alimentary canal. It is where the process of digestion begins.

2. **Components of the Buccal Cavity**: The buccal cavity contains various components essential for its functions:
- **Teeth**: Adult humans typically have 32 permanent teeth, which are categorized into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type of tooth plays a specific role in breaking down food.
- **Tongue**: The tongue is a muscular organ that aids in the manipulation of food. It is attached to the floor of the buccal cavity by a structure called the frenulum.

3. **Functions of the Buccal Cavity**:
- **Mastication of Food**: The primary function of the buccal cavity is the mastication (chewing) of food. The teeth break down food into smaller pieces, making it easier to digest.
- **Facilitation of Swallowing**: After mastication, the tongue helps in forming the chewed food into a bolus (a soft mass of chewed food) and facilitates swallowing, moving the bolus into the pharynx and then into the esophagus.

4. **Role of Saliva**: Saliva, produced by salivary glands, plays a crucial role in the buccal cavity:
- It moistens the food, making it easier to chew and swallow.
- It contains mucus, which helps in lubricating the food and adhering the masticated particles into a bolus.

5. **Conclusion**: The major functions of the buccal cavity are the mastication of food and the facilitation of swallowing. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option D: both A (mastication of food) and C (facilitation of swallowing).

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