Cheek
Cheek
Cheek (/tʃiːk/), in human anatomy, refers to the area of the face below the eye and between the nose and the left or right ear. The term is derived from the Old English ceace, which means "jaw, jawbone."
Anatomy
The cheek consists of subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and the outer layer of skin. The primary muscle in the cheek is the buccinator, which is responsible for pulling back the angle of the mouth and flattening the cheek area, aiding in chewing and facial expression.
Functions
The cheeks play a vital role in food consumption, speech, and facial expression. They form the side walls of the oral cavity and aid in keeping food between the upper and lower teeth until it is ready to be swallowed. The cheeks also contribute to the sounds produced during speech.
Related Terms
- Buccal: Pertaining to the cheek or the mouth cavity.
- Zygomatic bone: The bone that forms the prominent part of the cheek and the outer side of the eye socket.
- Malar: Pertaining to the cheekbone or zygomatic bone.
- Maxilla: The upper jawbone, which also forms part of the cheek.
Pathology
Various diseases and conditions can affect the cheeks, including oral cancer, cheek biting, cheek augmentation, and malar rash.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cheek
- Wikipedia's article - Cheek
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