Posterior teeth
Posterior Teeth
Posterior teeth (/pɒˈstɪəriər tiːθ/), also known as back teeth, are the teeth located towards the back of the oral cavity. They include the premolars (also known as bicuspids) and the molars.
Etymology
The term "posterior" comes from the Latin word "posterior," which means "following" or "later." This is in reference to the position of these teeth at the back of the mouth. The term "teeth" is derived from the Old English word "tēth," which is plural for "tooth."
Function
Posterior teeth are primarily used for grinding and crushing food during the process of mastication (chewing). Their broad and flat surfaces are designed to break down food into smaller, more digestible pieces.
Types of Posterior Teeth
There are two types of posterior teeth:
- Premolars: These are transitional teeth located between the canines and the molars. Humans typically have eight premolars in total, with two in each quadrant of the mouth. They have a more complex structure than the anterior teeth, with two cusps on their biting surface.
- Molars: These are the largest teeth in the mouth, located at the very back of the oral cavity. Humans typically have twelve molars in total, with three in each quadrant of the mouth. The third molars are commonly known as wisdom teeth.
Related Terms
- Anterior teeth: These are the teeth located at the front of the mouth, including the incisors and canines. They are primarily used for biting and cutting food.
- Dentition: This term refers to the arrangement or condition of the teeth in a particular species or individual.
- Occlusion: This term refers to the alignment and contact of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Posterior teeth
- Wikipedia's article - Posterior teeth
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski