It is a known fact that cancer can develop in any part of the mouth. When it is found in the oral cavity, it is called oral cancer. It includes cancer found on the tongue, cheeks, sinuses, throat and more.
The oral cavity includes the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the teeth, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth that is below the tongue, the bony roof of the mouth called hard palate) and the area behind the wisdom teeth (called the retromolar trigone).
The oropharynx is the middle part of the throat, just behind the oral cavity. It is seen when your mouth is wide open and includes the base of the tongue (the back third of the tongue), the back part of the roof of the mouth called the soft palate, the tonsils, and the side and back walls of the throat.
The oral cavity and oropharynx help you perform many basic functions like breathing, talking, eating, chewing, and swallowing. The salivary glands present all over the oral cavity and oropharynx makes saliva or spit which is responsible for keeping your mouth and throat moist and helps with the digestion of food.