What does buccal mean in medical terms?

Buccal refers to the cheek or the area of the cheek.

It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe structures, conditions, or procedures related to the cheek.

For example:

- Buccal mucosa: This term refers to the mucous membrane lining the inside of the cheek. It's a highly vascular tissue involved in various functions, including speech, swallowing, and taste.

- Buccal fat pad: The buccal fat pad is a deposit of fat located in the cheek area, contributing to the facial fullness.

- Buccal cavity: This term denotes the space between the cheek and teeth. It's also known as the oral vestibule.

- Buccal nerve: The buccal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve that provides sensory innervation to the skin of the cheek.

- Buccal cell: Buccal cells are cells collected from the inner lining of the cheek for genetic testing, such as DNA analysis.

- Buccal incision: A buccal incision refers to a surgical cut or incision made in the cheek area for various procedures, including dental surgeries and cosmetic surgeries.

- Buccal drug delivery: This term refers to the administration of medications through the cheek mucosa, often used for drugs that need to be absorbed quickly.

- Buccal abscess: A buccal abscess is an infection or pus-filled swelling that occurs in the cheek region.

The term "buccal" is frequently encountered in medical literature, dental records, and surgical reports when describing conditions, procedures, and anatomical structures related to the cheek.