This booklet is about cancers that occur in the mouth (oral cavity) and the part of the throat at the back of the mouth (oropharynx). The oral cavity and oropharynx have many parts:

• Lips
• Lining of your cheeks
• Salivary glands (glands that make saliva)
• Roof of your mouth (hard palate)
• Back of your mouth (soft palate and uvula)
• Floor of your mouth (area under the tongue)
• Gums and teeth
• Tongue
• Tonsils

Glossary Terms

An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk. Endocrine glands release the substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands release the substances into a duct or opening to the inside or outside of the body.

The front, bony part of the roof of the mouth.

Refers to the mouth. It includes the lips, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the front two thirds of the tongue, the upper and lower gums, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the bony roof of the mouth, and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.

The part of the throat at the back of the mouth behind the oral cavity. It includes the back third of the tongue, the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils.

The watery fluid in the mouth made by the salivary glands. Saliva moistens food to help digestion and it helps protect the mouth against infections.

The back, muscular (not bony) part of the roof of the mouth.

The soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also called palatine uvula.