Describe the process of digestion occurring in oral cavity.

Explanation

There are two main functions of buccal cavity, mastication of food and facillation of swallowing.
With the help of saliva, teeth and tongue masticate food and mix up the food thoroughly.
Mucus in saliva helps in lubricating and adhering the masticated food particles into a bolus.
The bolus is then conveyed into the pharynx and then into the oesophagus by swallowing or deglutition. The bolus further passes down through the oesophagus by successive waves of muscular contractions called peristalsis. The gastro-oesophageal sphincter controls the passage of food into the stomach.
The saliva secreted into the oral cavity contains electrolytes (`Na^(+), K^(+), Cl^(-) , HClO_3^(-)` ) and enzymes, salivary amylase and lysozyme.
The chemical process of digestion is initiated in the oral cavity by the hydrolytic action of carbohydrate splitting enzyme, the salivary amylase.
About 30 percent of starch is hydrolysed here by this enzyme into disaccharide-maltose.
Starch `underset"pH 6.8"overset"ptylin"to` Maltose
Lysozyme present in saliva acts as an antibacterial agent that prevents infections.
Peristalsis - Bolus proceeds further in oesophagus by continuous wavy contraction of muscles.
Stomach - controls the food going to stomach by sphincter muscle.