01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Around the necks of teeth and over the jawbones.
02 / Structure & organization
Gingiva is part of the oral mucosa, with attached and free marginal regions. Junctional epithelium forms an attachment near the tooth surface. The gingiva covers the alveolar process but does not provide the tooth's main mechanical anchorage.
03 / Function
They cover the bone that supports your teeth.
04 / Mechanism
Gum tissue forms a close seal around each tooth. Together with deeper supporting tissues, it helps protect the places where teeth are anchored. The visible gum is only part of the tooth's support system.
Part of a bigger picture
The gum belongs in our head & face collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
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Connect structure with function
Distinguish gingival tissue from the periodontal ligament below it. Together with bone and cementum, these tissues maintain the interface between the exposed tooth and deeper structures.
Check your understanding
Locate the gum 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.