The buccal cavity performs two major functions, i.e., mastication of food and facilitation of swallowing.
(i) The teeth and the tongue with the help of saliva masticate and mixup the food throughly.
(ii) Mucus in saliva helps in lubricating and adhering the masticated food particles into bolus.
(iii) The bolus is then passed into the pharynx and then into oesophagus for further digestion.