Oral Anatomy Essentials: Incisive Papilla, Rugae, And Uvula Explained

Oral Anatomy Essentials: Incisive Papilla, Rugae, And Uvula Explained

Question 1. Uvula.
Answer:

• It is a projection from the posterior edge of the middle of the soft palate.
• Its connective tissue contains a number of glands and muscle fibers.
• It plays a role in the articulation of some sounds.
• The muscles of it raise and retract the uvula.
• It is innervated by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve.
• Uvula gets swollen under the following conditions.
  • Dehydration
  • Smoking
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Viral or bacterial infection.

Question 2. Rugae.
Answer:

They are ridges of mucous membranes extending laterally from the incisive papilla and the anterior part of the raphe.

Site: 

• The over-hard palate immediately behind the upper anterior teeth.

Function:

• In speech.
• Facilitate the movement of food backwards towards the pharynx Histology:
• The epithelium is keratinized.
• Their core is made of a dense connective tissue layer with fine interwoven fibers.

Question 3. Incisive papilla.
Answer:

• It is formed by dense connective tissue.
• It contains the oral parts of the nasopalatine ducts.
• Ducts are lined by simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium and surrounded by small, irregular islands of hyaline cartilage.
• Small mucous glands open into the lumen of the ducts.
• Ducts are rich in goblet cells.

Location:

• In the middle just behind the upper central incisors.