Mucous membrane
 | This article aboutbiologymay beexcessively human-centric.(May 2022) |
| Mucous membrane | |
|---|---|
 Histologicalsection taken from thegastric 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 | |
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| This article is one of a series on the |
| Gastrointestinal wall |
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Amucous membraneormucosais amembranethat lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers ofepithelial cellsoverlying a layer ofloose connective tissue.It is mostly ofendodermalorigin and is continuous with the skin atbody openingssuch as theeyes,eyelids,ears,inside the nose,inside the mouth,lips,thegenital areas,theurethral openingand theanus.Some mucous membranes secretemucus,a thick protective fluid. The function of the membrane is to stoppathogensand dirt from entering the body and to prevent bodily tissues from becoming dehydrated.
Structure[edit]
The mucosa is composed of one or more layers ofepithelial cellsthat secretemucus,and an underlyinglamina propriaofloose 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 themicrobiome.[2]: 437
Examples[edit]
Some examples include:[citation needed]
- Endometrium:the mucosa of theuterus
- Gastric mucosa
- Intestinal mucosa
- Nasal mucosa
- Olfactory mucosa
- Oral mucosa
- Penile mucosa
- Respiratory mucosa
- Vaginal mucosa
- Frenulum of tongue
- Anal canal
- Conjunctiva
Development[edit]
Developmentally, the majority of mucous membranes are ofendodermalorigin.[5]Exceptions include thepalate,cheeks,floor of themouth,gums,lipsand the portion of theanal canalbelow thepectinate line,which are allectodermalin origin.[6][7]
Function[edit]
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 transformingnutrients.[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 theuterus,the mucous membrane is called theendometrium,and it swells each month and is then eliminated duringmenstruation.[2]: 1019
Nutrition[edit]
Niacin[2]: 876 andvitamin Aareessential nutrientsthat help maintain mucous membranes.[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Mucous membrane".Encyclopædia Britannica.Retrieved1 August2015.
- ^abcdefgGuyton, Arthur C.; Hall, John E. (2006).Textbook of Medical Physiology, 11th Edition.Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.ISBN9780721602400.OCLC56661571.
- ^Stuart-Low, William (1905).Mucous Membranes Normal & Abnormal Including Mucin & Malignancy.Bailliére, Tindall & Cox.OCLC643969757.
- ^Sompayrac, Lauren (30 January 2012).How the Immune System Works, 4th Edition.Chichester, England:Wiley Publishing.ISBN9780470657294.OCLC1036250938.
- ^"Chapter 25. Germ Layers and Their Derivatives - Review of Medical Embryology Book - LifeMap Discovery".discovery.lifemapsc.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-01-09.Retrieved2017-02-18.
- ^Squier, Christopher; Brogden, Kim (2010-12-29)."Chapter 7, Development and aging of the oral mucosa".Human Oral Mucosa: Development, Structure and Function.John Wiley & Sons. p. 81.ISBN9780470959732.
- ^Schoenwolf, Gary C.; Bleyl, Steven B.; Brauer, Philip R.; Francis-West, Philippa H. (2014-12-01).Larsen's Human Embryology.Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 372.ISBN9781455727919.
- ^Fry, CH; Vahabi, B (October 2016)."The Role of the Mucosa in Normal and Abnormal Bladder Function".Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.119 Suppl 3 (Suppl 3): 57–62.doi:10.1111/bcpt.12626.PMC5555362.PMID27228303.
- ^"Vitamin A".MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. February 2, 2015.Retrieved16 February2017.
