Читать книгу Dental Neuroimaging - Chia-shu Lin - Страница 52

Based on the definition from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) of the National Library of Medicine, USA, the stomatognathic system is defined as ‘the mouth, teeth, jaws, pharynx and related structures as they relate to mastication, deglutition and speech’ (MeSH 1986). By this definition, either intraoral structure (e.g. teeth and the tongue) or extraoral structure (e.g. the masseter) is part of the stomatognathic system since all the structure contributes to maintaining normal oral functions. Notably, from the functional perspective, our brain should also be considered as part of the functional element related to oral functions, even though the brain is not part of the stomatognathic system. Both cortical and subcortical regions are closely associated with oral functions (Figure 1.2).