Resection and Reconstruction of the Tongue, Floor of the Mouth, and Mandible

Daphne A. Bascom

• The goal of reconstruction after tumor extirpation is the restoration of cosmesis and function with minimal additional patient morbidity.
  
• Key functions of the oral cavity and mandible to consider during reconstructive planning include speech, mastication, bolus preparation, bolus manipulation, and deglutition.
  
• Functional subunits of the oral cavity and mandible
  
  
  
  • Oral sphincter speech, mastication, and deglutition
    
  • Alveolar ridges direct flow of saliva and collect food during mastication and bolus manipulation
    
  • Floor of the mouth oral tongue mobility and bolus manipulation
    
  • Oral tongue speech and bolus manipulation
    
  • Hard palate speech and bolus manipulation
    
  • Buccal mucosa mastication and deglutition