A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is mostly of endodermal origin and is continuous with the skin at body openings such as the eyes, eyelids, ears, inside the nose, inside the mouth, lips, the genital areas, the urethral opening and the anus. Some mucous membranes secrete mucus, a thick protective fluid. The function of the membrane is to stop pathogens and dirt from entering the body and to prevent bodily tissues from becoming dehydrated.
 | This article about biology may be excessively human-centric. (May 2022) |
| Mucous membrane | |
|---|---|
 Histological section taken from the gastric antrum, showing the mucosa of the stomach | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | tunica mucosa |
| MeSH | D009092 |
| TA98 | A05.4.01.015 A05.3.01.029 A05.5.01.029 A05.6.01.009 A05.6.01.010 A05.7.01.006 A05.7.01.007 A05.8.02.009 A06.1.02.017 A06.2.09.019 A06.3.01.010 A06.4.02.029 A08.1.05.011 A08.2.01.007 A08.3.01.023 A09.1.02.013 A09.1.04.011 A09.2.03.012 A09.3.05.010 A09.3.06.004 A09.4.02.015 A09.4.02.020 A09.4.02.029 A15.3.02.083 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Structure
The mucosa is composed of one or more layers of epithelial cells that secrete mucus, and an underlying lamina propria of loose connective tissue.[1] The type of cells and type of mucus secreted vary from organ to organ and each can differ along a given tract.[2][3]
Mucous membranes line the digestive, respiratory and reproductive tracts and are the primary barrier between the external world and the interior of the body; in an adult human the total surface area of the mucosa is about 400 square meters while the surface area of the skin is about 2 square meters.[4]: 1 Along with providing a physical barrier, they also contain key parts of the immune system and serve as the interface between the body proper and the microbiome.[2]: 437
Examples
Some examples include:[citation needed]
Development
Developmentally, the majority of mucous membranes are of endodermal origin.[5] Exceptions include the palate, cheeks, floor of the mouth, gums, lips and the portion of the anal canal below the pectinate line, which are all ectodermal in origin.[6][7]
Function
One of its functions is to keep the tissue moist (for example in the respiratory tract, including the mouth and nose).[2]: 480 It also plays a role in absorbing and transforming nutrients.[2]: 5, 813 Mucous membranes also protect the body from itself. For instance, mucosa in the stomach protects it from stomach acid,[2]: 384, 797 and mucosa lining the bladder protects the underlying tissue from urine.[8] In the uterus, the mucous membrane is called the endometrium, and it swells each month and is then eliminated during menstruation.[2]: 1019
Nutrition
Niacin[2]: 876 and vitamin A are essential nutrients that help maintain mucous membranes.[9]
See also
References
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