What is the oral vestibule and what are its boundaries?

The oral vestibule is the narrow space between the lips and cheeks externally and the teeth and gums internally. It is bounded above and below by mucosal reflections from the lips and cheeks to the gums.

How do the lips and cheeks differ in structure?

The lips are mobile, musculofibrous folds with layers including skin, superficial fascia, orbicularis oris muscle, submucosa, and mucous membrane. The cheeks are muscular flaps with layers such as skin, superficial fascia, buccal fat pad, buccopharyngeal fascia, buccinator muscle, submucosa, and mucous membrane.

What are the main parts of the gums (gingiva)?

The gums consist of three main parts: free gingiva (collar-like tissue around the tooth neck), attached gingiva (firmly bound to the alveolar bone), and interdental gingiva (part between adjacent teeth).

What is the nerve supply to the upper and lower lips?

The upper lip is supplied by the infraorbital nerve (V2), while the lower lip is supplied by the mental nerve (V3).

What clinical conditions are associated with the oral vestibule and gums?

Common conditions include facial palsy (causing food accumulation in the vestibule), gingivitis (inflammation from poor hygiene), and scurvy (vitamin C deficiency leading to swollen, bleeding gums).

How does the oral vestibule communicate with the oral cavity proper?

When the mouth is open, the vestibule communicates freely with the oral cavity proper. When closed, it connects via a small gap behind the third molar and mandibular ramus, known as the retromolar region.

What are the lymph drainage patterns for the lips and gums?

For the lips, the central lower lip drains to submental nodes, while the rest drain to submandibular nodes. For the gums, upper gums drain to submandibular nodes, anterior lower gums to submental nodes, and posterior lower gums to submandibular nodes.

Oral Vestibule – Lips, Cheeks & Gingiva Anatomy

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