What part of the mouth do animals use for mastication?

Mastication, or the process of chewing, primarily involves the use of teeth. These structures play a crucial role in breaking down food into smaller pieces, making it easier for digestion to occur later in the digestive tract. Different types of teeth, such as incisors for cutting and molars for grinding, are adapted to handle various food types that animals may consume. The efficient action of the teeth during mastication also helps mix the food with saliva, initiating the digestive process.

While the jaw assists in the overall movement required for mastication and the tongue helps position food within the mouth and assists in swallowing, the essential function of actually breaking down the food is performed by the teeth. The palate serves primarily as a dividing structure and plays a role in the overall architecture of the mouth, but it does not directly contribute to the mechanical process of chewing.