HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does the term "action of swallowing" refer to in dental terminology?

1. Contact area

2. Deglutition

3. Dentin

4. Cusp of Carabelli

The correct answer is: Deglutition

The term "action of swallowing" specifically refers to the process known as deglutition. In the context of dental terminology and anatomy, deglutition encompasses the entire process of moving food from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. This is a critical function not just for digestion but also for oral health, as effective swallowing helps in clearing the mouth of food particles and maintaining overall hygiene. The other terms mentioned do not relate to the action of swallowing: the contact area refers to the points of contact between adjacent teeth, dentin is the supportive tissue of the tooth beneath the enamel, and the cusp of Carabelli is an anatomical feature found on some molars. These concepts do not involve the swallowing process, making deglutition the correct term to describe this vital action.