Role and function of the oral cavity – the basic function of the oral cavity is to facilitate eating: through chewing and saliva production, the breaking up and enzymatic digestion of food already begin here, as does moving the mouthful on towards the throat and then the oesophagus.
Sensing taste is also an essential part of eating, and it too is performed by the oral cavity as one of its tasks.
The oral cavity also serves speech (through the lips, teeth, tongue and soft palate) and breathing.
The oral cavity’s role also extends to expressing emotions (kissing) and to sexuality (oral sex).
