Pronunciation: [bˈʌkə͡l kˈavɪti] (IPA) 
The buccal cavity is the space inside the mouth, between the cheeks and gums. The spelling of this word is straightforward, with the "bucc-" prefix coming from the Latin word for cheek, and the "-al" suffix indicating that the word relates to or affects the cheeks. The word "cavity" is used to describe the space, which is enclosed by the cheeks, teeth, and gums. Its phonetic transcription is /ˈbʌkəl ˈkævəti/.
The buccal cavity refers to the anatomical structure found within the oral cavity, specifically referring to the region between the cheeks (buccae) and the gums or teeth. This cavity is bordered by the lips anteriorly and the oropharynx posteriorly. It serves as the entrance to the digestive and respiratory systems, playing a crucial role in various functions such as speech, mastication, and the initial stages of digestion.
Within the buccal cavity, numerous structures are found, including the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, and the lining of the cheeks. The teeth are responsible for breaking down food into smaller particles during the process of mastication. The tongue, a muscular organ, aids in manipulating food within the buccal cavity, facilitating its mixing with saliva produced by the salivary glands. Saliva helps moisten food and initiates the process of digestion through the action of enzymes contained within it.
The buccal cavity also plays a crucial role in speaking and articulating sounds. It contributes to the production of certain phonetic sounds, where the tongue and lips come into contact to form specific speech sounds.
Overall, the buccal cavity is an integral component of the oral cavity, serving multiple functions crucial to the initial stages of digestion and respiration, as well as being involved in speech production.
(1) Vestibulum oris; (2) in dentistry, a cavity beginning by decay on the buccal surface of a tooth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "buccal" is derived from the Latin term "bucca", which means "cheek". This term is often used in anatomy to refer to structures or processes located in or related to the cheek. The word "cavity" comes from the Latin term "cavus", meaning "hollow". In anatomy, it generally refers to a hollow or empty space within the body. Hence, the term "buccal cavity" refers to the hollow space surrounded by the cheeks, more commonly known as the mouth or oral cavity.
