What is the study of the formation and development of the oral cavity called?

The study of the formation and development of the oral cavity is referred to as oral embryology. This area of study focuses on how the structures of the mouth and its components are developed during the embryonic stages and how these processes shape the oral cavity both structurally and functionally. Oral embryology encompasses the understanding of how tissues, organs, and systems that comprise the mouth, including teeth, gums, and the surrounding soft tissues, form from the earliest stages of development.

Oral pathology, on the other hand, deals with the study and diagnosis of diseases affecting the oral cavity. Oral histology refers to the microscopic structure of oral tissues, looking at the cells and tissues that make up the oral cavity. Oral anatomy focuses more broadly on the structures and physical features of the oral cavity, examining shapes, sizes, and spatial relationships, rather than the developmental processes specifically. Each of these fields has its own distinct focus within dental science, but oral embryology is the one specifically concerned with formation and development.