Final answer:
The term 'glossal' or 'lingual' means pertaining to the mouth and tongue, and refers to the structures and functions, including the complex movements necessary for speech, chewing, swallowing, and tasting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that means pertaining to the mouth and tongue is 'glossal' or 'lingual.' These terms are often used in medical and anatomical contexts to describe the structures and functions associated with the mouth and tongue. For example, the glossal muscles are a group of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that allow for the complex movements of the tongue necessary for mastication, deglutition (swallowing), and the articulation of speech. The intrinsic muscles alter the shape of the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles, with names like genioglossus and styloglossus, anchor the tongue to nearby structures and move it in various directions.
The tongue's functions extend beyond speech, also playing critical roles in tasting food and manipulating it within the oral cavity for chewing and swallowing. The oral cavity or buccal cavity refers more broadly to the mouth's interior space, which is bordered by the cheeks, lips, palate, and oral vestibule. Within the oral cavity, there are various types of papillae on the tongue's surface, which house the taste buds necessary for the sensory experience of tasting.