buccal fat; Bichat fatpad; sucking/suctorial pad; sucking cushion; fat body of cheek; Bichat protuberance

Introduction

An encapsulated mass of fat in the cheek on the outer side of the buccinator, especially marked in the infant.

Function

• to strengthen & support the cheek during the act of sucking

More general terms

• fatpad

Component of

• cheek/bucca/gena