LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the end of the course students will be able:
- To know the anatomy and physiology of the structures that make up the Stomatognathic system.
- To know the normal function of the Stomatognathic system.
- To know the conditions for the construction of a prosthetic restoration in order for the Oral and Maxillofacial system to function safely.
Students will learn the anatomical structures and the physiological mechanisms of the Stomatognathic System and the way they are interconnected so that the primary and secondary functions of the system take place.
The purpose of teaching the course “Physiology of the Stomatognathic System”, is to acquaint the student with the individual systems that make up the oral and maxillofacial system and how they work together, so that the main and secondary functions of the system are performed.
The aim of the course is:
- The analytic description of the parts that make up the Stomatognathic System and the understanding of their operating mechanisms.
- Learning the kinesiology of the lower jaw.
- Teaching the working mechanisms of chewing, swallowing and speech.
- Teaching the essentials of stomatognathic pathology; associating pathological conditions of stomatognathic system with poorly made dental prostheses.
SYLLABUS
1. Anatomy of the Stomatognathic system: The bones and muscles of the oral and maxillofacial system are described.
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- Detailed description of the anatomical morphology of the basic bones of the oral system, the upper and lower jaw, and their anatomical features that are involved and require special attention during the construction of a prosthetic restoration.
- The muscles of the oral and maxillofacial region are described with emphasis on the activity of the elevators and depressors muscles of the mouth, so as to make a connection with the kinesiology of the lower jaw. The function of the masticatory muscles is extensively analyzed.
2. Elements of embryology and anatomy of the Temporomandibular Joint structure (TMJ). Evolution of TMJ. Embryological stages of TMJ development. Detailed description and analysis of the individual anatomical elements of the temporomandibular joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull and allow its functional movements. Description of the operation of the TMJs and their
dysfunctional disorders.
3. Anatomical features of the oral area and oral cavity: A brief description of the anatomical features involved in shaping the oral cavity (floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, and tongue). Description of the supporting tissues of the teeth, presentation and analysis of the normal position and arrangement of the teeth in the jaws. Description of some anatomical elements of the oral area that participate in the aesthetics of the face.
4. Physiology of the Nervous and Muscular System: Understanding the mechanisms of cooperation of the various systems of the Oral System to perform its complex functions, requires a thorough knowledge of both the nervous and muscular system and neuromuscular coordination. The structure of the striated skeletal muscles and their function are analyzed. The main proprioceptive organs of the oral system are presented. The neuromuscular function is extensively described and analyzed in order to understand the mechanisms of cooperation of the various systems of the stomatognathic system. The main reflexes of the lower jaw are mentioned.
5. Mandibular kinesiology: The purpose of the chapter is to familiarize the student with the movements that can be performed by the mandible. A connection is made with the muscles responsible for each movement. This section analyzes the movements of the mandible in three levels, horizontal, frontal, sagittal. The basic positions of the lower jaw are analyzed, such as the Central Relationship, the Resting Position, the Maximum Intercuspation and the Centric Occlusion. The maximum positions and patterns of movements of the mandible during opening, closing, protrusion and laterotrusion, in all three reference levels, are described.
6. Chewing, Swallowing, Speech: The three main functions of the Stomatognathic system are described in detail.
a) The masticatory function (stages of chewing) and the various phases of the movements of the lower jaw during a masticatory cycle are analyzed. The characteristics of the masticatory forces are presented.
b) The three phases of the swallowing function are analyzed with special emphasis on the oral phase for the determination of the position of the competing teeth, the tongue and the Temporomadibular Joints.
c) For the function of speech, the effect of the inclination of the teeth on the pronunciation of various sounds and letters is analyzed.
7. Oral Dysfunction: Etiology, Epidemiology, Classification, Dental treatment methods. After the student has known the various parts of the Oral System and their function, he is taught basic elements of the pathology of the system, more in the light of his own participation in the creation of the pathology.