How does digestion take place in the Buccal Cavity

The buccal cavity performs two major functions.

(i) Mastication of food

(ii) Facilitation of swallowing

- The teeth and the tongue with the help of saliva masticate and mix up the food

thoroughly.

- Mucus in saliva helps in lubricating and adhering the masticated food particles

into a bolus.

- 30% of the starch is hydrolysed by ptyalin at a pH of 6.8 into maltose.

- The bolus is conveyed through the pharynx and oesophagus into the stomach.