Answer
Some of the functions carried out by the oral cavity include the ingestion of food, tasting, chewing and swallowing of food. Enzymatic digestive processes also start in the buccal cavity: salivary amylase begins the digestion of starches and lingual lipase ( from Ebner's glands) begins the hydrolysis of lipids; however, the main digestive activity of lingual lipase takes place in the stomach.
Work Step by Step
The Mouth is also indispensable in speech production, and it plays an important role in respiration. Normally, healthy humans breathe through both nose and mouth. But, if the nasal passages become completely obstructed/blocked , temporarily, mouth breathing becomes a life saver. Nevertheless, prolonged mouth breathing, asleep or awake, can result in various pathological syndromes.
