Latin names of teeth
In medical practice, each tooth is designated by the term dens (in the genitive case — dentis). Special adjectives are used to precisely indicate location and function:
- Incisor tooth translates as dens incisivus.
- Canine tooth is designated by the word caninus (which literally translates as "dog" [tooth]). Accordingly, the canine is dens caninus.
- The premolar or small molar tooth bears the name premolaris.
- The molar or large molar tooth is called molaris.
Special attention is paid to the timing of tooth eruption. A deciduous tooth is characterized by the term deciduus, which indicates its temporary, shedding nature. In turn, the wisdom tooth is classified as late — serotinus (for example, dens serotinus). In practice, physicians need to be able to describe specific areas: the upper canine, the root of the medial upper incisor, the upper molar, or the cusp of the lower canine. An important parameter for a dentist is also the crown surface of the upper molar and the deciduous (shedding) tooth.
Anatomy of the maxillofacial region
The bony framework and soft tissues of the face have a complex relief consisting of numerous elements. The most crucial structure is the alveolar part of the mandible and the mandibular notch. On the maxilla, the ethmoidal crest of the frontal process is topographically distinguished. Adjacent facial bones include the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone, and deep within the skull lies the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. In the nasal cavity, there are the superior and middle nasal conchae.
The soft tissues of the oral cavity are represented by formations such as the mucosal part of the lip, the frenulum of the lower lip, and the mucous membrane of the tongue. The occipito-palatine muscle is located in the same area. Motor and sensory innervation of the maxillofacial zone is provided by complex neural structures: the trigeminal nerve (and its motor root), the masseter nerve, and the submandibular ganglion. An important anatomical landmark is the triangle of the hypoglossal nerve, and in the orbital region, the superior orbital fissure of the lesser wing is distinguished.
Muscles of the neck and hyoid bone
The musculature of the anterior region of the neck is traditionally classified in relation to the body of the hyoid bone. Two major groups are distinguished:
- Suprahyoid muscles (described by the adjective suprahyoideus).
- Infrahyoid muscles (described by the adjective infrahyoideus).
Specific muscles that fix the hyoid bone and participate in the acts of swallowing and chewing include:
- Sternohyoid muscle (sternohyoideus);
- Thyrohyoid muscle (thyrohyoideus);
- Geniohyoid muscle (geniohyoideus);
- Omohyoid muscle.
All these structures work in coordination, ensuring the mobility of the larynx and mandible.
Adjacent anatomical terminology
As part of the comprehensive mastering of medical Latin, terms describing organs of other systems are studied in parallel with dental vocabulary.
In the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, the common iliac artery, right jugular trunk, and left lumbar trunk are distinguished. The vaginal venous plexus and the inferior bulb of the internal jugular vein are of great clinical significance. When studying the structure of the heart, the oblique pericardial sinus and the atrioventricular bundle are examined.
The nervous system and sense organs include terms such as the lateral ventricle of the brain (and its inferior horn), the intraparietal sulcus, and the subparietal sulcus. At the periphery, the palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve is described. In ophthalmology, the macula lutea and the sheath of the eyeball are distinguished.
Among the structures of the urogenital system, the fundus of the urinary bladder, ovarian medulla, proper ligament of the ovary, and anterior lip of the cervix are mentioned. The musculoskeletal system is supplemented by terms such as the interosseous space, deep infrapatellar bursa, and ischial bursa of the gluteus maximus muscle.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
Which muscles make up the infrahyoid group of neck muscles (musculi infrahyoidei)?
The infrahyoid group of neck muscles consists of four muscles that pull the hyoid bone downward and fix its position. These include:
- Sternohyoid muscle (m. sternohyoideus)
- Sternothyroid muscle (m. sternothyroideus)
- Thyrohyoid muscle (m. thyrohyoideus)
- Omohyoid muscle (m. omohyoideus)
Which muscles form the suprahyoid group (musculi suprahyoidei)?
The suprahyoid group is formed by muscles located above the hyoid bone that constitute the floor of the oral cavity. Upon contraction, they lower the mandible or raise the hyoid bone. This group includes:
- Mylohyoid muscle (m. mylohyoideus)
- Geniohyoid muscle (m. geniohyoideus)
- Digastric muscle (m. digastricus)
- Stylohyoid muscle
Which nerves provide motor innervation to the masticatory muscles?
Motor innervation to the masticatory muscles is provided by branches of the mandibular nerve (n. mandibularis, V3). These include the following motor branches:
- Masseteric nerve (n. massetericus) — innervates the masseter muscle.
- Deep temporal nerves (nn. temporales profundi) — innervate the temporalis muscle.
- Medial and lateral pterygoid nerves (n. pterygoideus medialis et lateralis) — innervate the corresponding pterygoid muscles.
What bony landmarks and structures are distinguished on the mandible?
The mandible (Mandibula) features a body (Corpus mandibulae) and paired rami (Ramus mandibulae). The main bony landmarks and structures include:
- Base of the mandible (Basis mandibulae) and the alveolar part (Pars alveolaris).
- Mental protuberance (Protuberantia mentalis) with mental tubercles.
- Mental spines (Spinae mentales), digastric, sublingual, and submandibular fossae.
- Mental foramen (Foramen mentale).
- Coronoid and condylar processes (Processus coronoideus and Processus condylaris).
- Angle of the mandible (Angulus mandibulae) with the masseteric tuberosity.
What are the three main branches of the trigeminal nerve?
The trigeminal nerve divides into three main branches originating from the trigeminal (Gasserian) ganglion. These include:
- Ophthalmic nerve (n. ophthalmicus, V1) — the first branch, providing sensory innervation.
- Maxillary nerve (n. maxillaris, V2) — the second branch, which is also sensory.
- Mandibular nerve (n. mandibularis, V3) — the third branch, which is mixed and contains both sensory and motor fibers.
Which nerves are topographically related to the submandibular ganglion?
The submandibular ganglion (ganglion submandibulare) is topographically and functionally related to the following nerves:
- Lingual nerve (n. lingualis) — a branch of the mandibular nerve with which the ganglion is directly connected.
- Chorda tympani (chorda tympani) — a branch of the facial nerve that joins the lingual nerve and carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers for relay in the submandibular ganglion.
Through which cranial openings do the main branches of the trigeminal nerve exit?
The main branches of the trigeminal nerve arise from the trigeminal (gasserian) ganglion and leave the cranial cavity through the following openings:
- Ophthalmic nerve (n. ophthalmicus, V1) — exits through the superior orbital fissure.
- Maxillary nerve (n. maxillaris, V2) — exits through the foramen rotundum.
- Mandibularis nerve (n. mandibularis, V3) — exits through the foramen ovale.
To memorize the neck muscles, pay attention to the prefixes: supra- (above) and infra- (below), while the root -hyoideus always indicates a connection to the hyoid bone.
Class and exam questions
What is the Latin name for a milk tooth?
The milk tooth is designated by the term dens deciduus, which translates as "falling out".
What does the term dens serotinus mean?
This term translates as "late tooth" and in clinical practice refers to the wisdom tooth.
How are the neck muscles classified in relation to the hyoid bone?
They are divided into suprahyoid (suprahyoideus) and infrahyoid (infrahyoideus) muscles.
Which nerve innervates the masticatory muscles?
The main role in innervation is played by the motor root of the trigeminal nerve and the masseteric nerve.
What else to study on this topic
- Topography of the submandibular ganglion
- Structure of the alveolar part of the mandible
- Functions of the omohyoid muscle
- Structural features of the superior orbital fissure of the lesser wing
- Anatomy of the nasal conchae (superior and middle)
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