The cheeks form the movable side walls of the mouth. Each is a layered structure of skin, subcutaneous fat including the buccal fat pad, the buccinator muscle and an inner lining of buccal mucosa. The parotid duct pierces the buccinator to open on a small papilla opposite the upper second molar.
| Location | Lateral walls of the oral cavity, between the lips anteriorly and the ramus of the mandible posteriorly |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Buccal nerve, CN V3 (sensory); Buccal branches of the facial nerve (motor to buccinator) |
| Blood Supply | Buccal artery (from the maxillary artery); Facial artery; Transverse facial artery |
| Venous drainage | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Hold food over the grinding surfaces of the teeth, help generate pressure for blowing and sucking and contribute to facial expression and speech.
The buccinator keeps food between the teeth while chewing, so facial nerve palsy lets food collect in the vestibule. The buccal mucosa is a common site for lichen planus, leukoplakia and, where betel quid is chewed, squamous cell carcinoma. A deep cheek laceration can divide the parotid duct or the buccal branch of the facial nerve, both of which must be checked before closure.
Chronic inflammatory condition causing white lacy streaks or erosions on the inner cheeks; erosive forms carry a small risk of malignant change.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the inner cheek, strongly associated with tobacco and betel quid chewing.
Division of the parotid duct in a cheek laceration, causing a salivary fistula or sialocele unless repaired.
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