mucosa n : mucus-secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior [syn: mucous membrane] [also: mucosae (pl)]

English

Noun

mucosa (plural mucosae or mucosas)

1. A mucous membrane.

Translations

• Italian: mucosa

• Polish: błona śluzowa

Italian

Adjective

mucosa

1. feminine of mucoso

Noun

1. mucosa, mucous membrane

Synonyms

• membrana mucosa, tonaca mucosa

Related terms

• muco
• mucoso

The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. It is at several places continuous with skin: at the nostrils, the lips, the ears, the genital area, and the anus. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and gland is termed mucus. The term mucous membrane refers to where they are found in the body and not every mucous membrane secretes mucus.

Body cavities featuring mucous membrane include most of the respiratory system. The glans penis (head of the penis) and glans clitoridis and the inside of the prepuce (foreskin) and clitoral hood are not mucous membranes; however, the urethra is a mucous membrane. The secreted mucus traps the pathogens in the body, preventing any further activities of diseases.

Components

• Epithelium
• Lamina propria
• Smooth muscle/Muscularis mucosa/ (GI tract)

Some examples of mucosa

• Buccal mucosa
• Esophageal mucosa
• Gastric mucosa
• Intestinal mucosa
• Olfactory mucosa
• Oral mucosa
• bronchial mucosa
• Uterine mucosa
• Endometrium is the mucosa of the uterus

Additional images

Image:Illu ureters wall.jpg|Wall of the ureter. Image:Gut wall.svg|General structure of the gut wall showing the Mucosa.

See also

• Mucin
• Mucocutaneous boundary

External links

• - "Mammal, whole system (LM, Low)"