________________
The Organisation of the Human Body
171
The Mouth Cavity (Mukha 125
The mouth cavity contains the tongue, the teeth, "salivary glands,"26 according to modern Biology, etc. They play role in ingestion or digestion, etc.
The Tongue (Jihā) 27
The tongue consists of several sets of striated muscles oriented in different places, having a length of seven fingers,28 Food is pushed by the tongue between the teeth to be chewed and then shaped into a spherical mass, called bolus (Kavala) to be swallowed by the process of praksepāhāra.30 Swallowing is initiated when the tongue pushes a bolus31 into pharynx.
he Teeth (Damta)32
There are stated to be thirty two teeth of (battīsam damtā )33 of man. The teeth of all vertebrates break up food into smaller particles
"but they vary in size and shape according to the diet of the parti·cular animal.''34
Modern Biology explains that "In man, each jaw on each side has, behind the canines, two premolars and three motars, with flattened surfaces adapted for crushing and grinding food". 35
25. Tandula Veyāliya, 16, (Comm.) p. 36 26. Biology, p. 297. 27. Tandula Veyāliya 16, p. 35. 28. Ibid 16, p. 35
"Caupaliya Jibbhā... sattamguliya Jihvāmukhabhyantravartim amsakhandarūpā
dairghyenätmangulatah saptangulā bhavati", Ibid. (Comm.), p. 36. 29. Sūtrakstānga II. 3. (Comm.) “Kavalika āhāro Jihvendriyasay sadbhävaditi", p. 38. 30. Prakṣepena Kavalīderahārah prakse pärah", Sūtrakstānya II, 3. (Comm.), p. 87. 31. “Tatra yo jihvendriyeņa sthūlah sarire praksipyati sa prakseparah“, Ibid, p. 33; 32. Tandula Veyāliya 16, p. 35, Visuddhimagya gives vivid description of teeth, ses
Vm. XI. 51. ; VIII. 92 "Dantā hanukatļhikesu jāta/", etc. VM. XI. 51. 33. Tandula Veyāliya, 16, p. 35; See also Caraka Sambitã IV. 7,6. ; Susruta III.
5. 19, 20, ; A.H. II. 3.16. ( Ayurvedic Samhitas). Kashyapa deals with the names of the teeth, such as, Rajadanta (medical incison ), Vastau (lateral incisor and canine), danştre (Premolars ), hapavyas (molars ). K,S., 1.20, vide Sacitra Āvur
veda, March, 1972, Avika; 1, p. 78 34. Biology, p. 298. 35. Ibid. p. 298.
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