Buccal Definition: Medical Meaning & Applications

Definition

Buccal refers to the cheek or the cheek area (from Latin bucca, cheek).

Anatomical Structures

• Buccal mucosa: Mucous membrane lining the inner cheek; highly vascular.
• Buccal fat pad: Fat deposit contributing to facial fullness.
• Buccal cavity (oral vestibule): Space between cheek and teeth.
• Buccal nerve: Branch of mandibular nerve (V3) supplying cheek skin sensation.

Clinical Applications

• Buccal cells: Collected for DNA/genetic testing.
• Buccal incision: Surgical access via cheek (dental, cosmetic).
• Buccal drug delivery: Mucosal absorption for rapid onset.
• Buccal abscess: Infection/swelling in cheek region.

The term appears frequently in dental, surgical, and medical literature.