cheek

anatomy

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The cheek refers to the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above the mouth. It is continuous with the lips and plays a role in mastication, or chewing, by helping to form a bolus of food with saliva. The cheeks contain muscles of mastication, such as the masseter, which are important for chewing. In infants, a distinct fat pad called the sucking pad is found in the subcutaneous tissue of the cheek. The cheekbone, or zygomatic bone, forms a prominence below the eye and serves as an origin for the masseter muscle. The term "cheek" can also refer to insolent boldness or impertinence.123456

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human digestive system
The lips and cheeks
The lips, two fleshy folds that surround the mouth, are composed externally of skin and internally of mucous membrane, or mucosa. The mucosa is rich in mucus-secreting glands, which together with saliva ensure adequate lubrication for the purposes of speech and mastication.
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The lips, two fleshy folds that surround the mouth, are composed externally of skin and internally of mucous membrane, or mucosa. The mucosa is rich in mucus-secreting glands, which together with saliva ensure adequate lubrication for the purposes of speech and mastication.
Read More