+1 862 207 3288 Mouth (oral aperture):
The mouth is slightly ventral anteriorly and extends upto the posterior ends of the jaws in the head region. Hence it can be opened widely.
Buccal cavity
The buccal cavity includes a short and wide pharynx. Thus it is termed as buccopharyngeal cavity. The buccal cavity can be very well seen in the opened mouth.
Tongue: The Tongue is muscular and sticky. It is attached to the anterior end of the lower jaw. It is free and bifid at the inner end.
Tuberculum Prelinguale: There is a protuberance near the attached end of the tongue at the centre of the lower jaw. This protuberance is called Tuberculum Prelinguale.
Opening of Gullet: There is a wide aperture with longitudinal folds in the centre of the junctions of two jaws. This aperture leads to oesophagus. This aperture is called the opening of gullet. There are three bony projections at the anterior region of lower jaw. The lower jaw is devoid of teeth.
Glottis: There is a longitudinal slit like aperture in the floor of the buccal cavity in front of the opening of Gullet. This aperture is guarded laterally by two cartilages. This aperture is called Glottis.
Opening of Vocal Sacs: There are two small openings of vocal sacs on the two lateral sides of this aperture. This is seen in male frogs only.
Maxillary teeth: There is a continuous row of inwardly pointed maxillary teeth on the outer ventral margins of the upper jaw.
Sulcus Marginalis: Sulcus Marginalis is a continuous groove along the inner side of the row of maxillary teeth. Median and 2 lateral Subrostral Fossae: There are three small pits called a Median and a pair of Lateral Subrostral Fossae in the anterior part of Sulcus Marginalis. When the mouth is shut, 1) The margin of the lower jaw fits in the Sulcus Marginalis. 2) The three bony projections fit in the Subrostral Fossae.
Internal Nares: The external nares on the dorsal side of the rostrum open into the buccal cavity through a pair of large apertures called internal nares.
Vomerine Teeth: There are a pair of oblique row of vomerine teeth behind the internal nares.
Opening of the Eustachian Canal: There is a distinct large opening of the eustachian canal on the each side of the ventral sides at the posterior end of the upper jaw. The eustachian canal connects the pharyngeal region of the buccal cavity with the lumen of the middle ear.
Intermaxillary Glands: There are numerous intermaxillary glands in the roof of the buccal cavity. These intermaxillary glands secrete mucus.
Bulgings due to Eyeballs: When the eyes are closed, the linings of the roof of the buccal cavity beneath the two orbits bulge ventrally, forming bulgings due to Eyeballs. The roof lining the pharyngeal region is ciliated.
