Hawaii Massage License Practice Exam

Which process occurs in the mouth?

1. Swallowing

2. Salivation

3. Digestion

4. Absorption

The correct answer is: Salivation

Salivation is the correct choice as it specifically refers to the process of producing saliva in the mouth. Saliva is crucial for the initial stages of digestion, as it contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates and helps moisten food, making it easier to chew and swallow. While swallowing is an important function that takes place in the mouth, it is primarily linked to the act of moving food from the mouth to the esophagus, rather than a process that occurs solely in the mouth itself. Digestion also begins in the mouth, but it involves a more complex series of chemical and mechanical actions—salivation is a specific part of this initial digestive process. Absorption, on the other hand, occurs mainly in the intestines, where nutrients are taken up into the bloodstream, not in the mouth. Therefore, salivation is uniquely focused on the actions occurring within the mouth itself, making it the correct answer.