Biomechanics of Orofacial Organs and Structures provides fundamental knowledge in functional anatomy and innervation of the orofacial region, in mechanical characteristics of orofacial soft tissues, in the biomechanical modeling of the orofacial organs, and in their use in the context of clinical applications. The book covers the design of biomechanical models that take into account the anatomy, muscle organization, innervation, and specific mechanical properties of muscles and soft tissue. It also discusses how these functions work under normal conditions, and how they degrade after surgery in the context of aging, or in the context of neuropathy altering the efferent or afferent nervous system in the orofacial region.

The book is organized into three parts:

1. General knowledge about orofacial organs and structures
2. Biomechanical models
3. Clinical applications

A new volume in the Biomechanics of Living Organs series, this book features the latest research developments in the truly multidisciplinary scientific domain that tackles the understanding and modeling of basic orofacial functions, which are essential for the quality of life of humans.

• Presents the fundamentals in soft tissue and muscle modeling - the physical mechanisms that enable the achievement of the basic orofacial functions
• Investigates the use of biomechanical models to study the basics of orofacial biological functions under normal and pathological conditions
• Features an overview of the state of the art in the use of biomechanical models in clinical applications related to swallowing, speaking, and singing