01 / Location & anatomical relationships
On either side of your mouth, below your eyes.
02 / Structure & organization
The cheek wall includes skin, subcutaneous tissue, buccinator muscle and oral mucosa. Buccal fat occupies a deeper space. The parotid duct crosses the masseter, turns inward and passes through buccinator to reach the mouth.
03 / Function
Cheek muscles help keep food between your teeth while you chew.
04 / Mechanism
Cheeks have skin outside and a moist lining inside. Muscles in their walls press against food so it stays near the teeth during chewing. They also help control air when you blow or speak.
Part of a bigger picture
The cheek belongs in our head & face collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore head & face →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Buccinator supports chewing by keeping food between the teeth, but it is classified with the muscles of facial expression. It works alongside the tongue and jaw muscles.
Check your understanding
Locate the cheek in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.