Final answer:
The oral cavity, commonly known as the mouth, is also referred to as the buccal cavity. It plays a crucial role in the initial stages of digestion by mechanically breaking down food and chemically with the help of saliva and enzymes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oral cavity is also known as the buccal cavity. This area, commonly referred to as the mouth, is framed by the cheeks, tongue, and palate. It is the point of entry for food into the digestive system, where the initial stage of digestion occurs. The oral cavity includes the oral vestibule, which is the part of the mouth bounded externally by the cheeks and lips, and internally by the gums and teeth.
The salivary glands within the oral cavity play a crucial role in digestion by secreting saliva, which moistens food and initiates the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates. This digestion process is facilitated by various structures, such as the teeth, which are involved in mastication, and the tongue, which helps shape the food into a bolus for swallowing. When food is chewed, enzymes such as salivary amylase and lingual lipase begin the process of breaking down starches and fats, respectively.
Therefore, to answer the student's multiple-choice question, the oral cavity is also known as the buccal cavity, making option B) the correct answer.