Mucous membrane

Mucous membrane
Layers: serosa longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus circular muscle submucosal plexus submucosal mucosal
Section of the human esophagus. Moderately magnified. The section is transverse and from near the middle of the gullet. a. Fibrous covering. b. Divided fibers of longitudinal muscular coat. c. Transverse muscular fibers. d. Submucous or areolar layer. e. Muscularis mucosae. f. Mucous membrane, with vessels and part of a lymphoid nodule. g. Stratified epithelial lining. h. Mucous gland. i. Gland duct. m’. Striated muscular fibers cut across.
Latin	tunica mucosa
Gray's	subject #242 1110
Dorlands/Elsevier	Mucous membrane

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 cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. They are at several places contiguous with skin: at the nostrils, the mouth, the lips, the eyelids, the ears, the genital area, and the anus. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and glands is termed mucus. The term mucous membrane refers to where they are found in the body and not every mucous membrane secretes mucus.

The glans clitoridis, glans penis (head of the penis), along with the inside of the foreskin and the clitoral hood, are mucous membranes. The urethra is also a mucous membrane. The secreted mucus traps the pathogens in the body, preventing any further activities of diseases.

Some examples of mucosa

• Buccal mucosa
• Esophageal mucosa
• Gastric mucosa
• Intestinal mucosa
• Nasal mucosa
• Olfactory mucosa
• Oral mucosa
• Bronchial mucosa
• Uterine mucosa
• Endometrium is the mucosa of the uterus
• Penile mucosa

Additional images

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  Wall of the ureter.

• 

  Section of mucous membrane of human stomach, near the cardiac orifice.

• 

  General structure of the gut wall showing the Mucosa.

See also

• Mucin
• Mucocutaneous boundary
• Mucociliary clearance
• Mucosal immune system

External links

• mucosa at eMedicine Dictionary
• Organology at UC Davis Digestive/mammal/system1/system4 - "Mammal, whole system (LM, Low)"
• MeSH Mucous+Membrane
• http://www.mucusmanagement.org.uk

This anatomy article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Membrane biology Anatomy stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу Jules Maigret University of Brighton Look at other dictionaries: mucous membrane — n a membrane rich in mucous glands specif one that lines body passages and cavities which communicate directly or indirectly with the exterior (as the alimentary, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts), that functions in protection, support,… …   Medical dictionary Mucous membrane — Mucous Mu cous, a. [L. mucosus, fr. mucus mucus.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling, mucus; slimy, ropy, or stringy, and lubricous; as, a mucous substance. [1913 Webster] 2. Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance; as, the mucous membrane.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English mucous membrane — n. a mucus secreting membrane lining body cavities and canals connecting with the external air, as the alimentary canal and respiratory tract …   English World dictionary mucous membrane — ► NOUN ▪ a mucus secreting tissue lining many body cavities and tubular organs, including the respiratory passages …   English terms dictionary mucous membrane — mucosa the moist membrane lining many tubular structures and cavities, including the nasal sinuses, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, biliary, and pancreatic systems. The surface of the mouth is lined by mucous membrane, the nature of… …   The new mediacal dictionary mucous membrane — noun mucus secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior • Syn: ↑mucosa • Derivationally related forms: ↑mucosal (for: ↑mucosa) • Hypernyms: ↑membrane, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary mucous membrane — UK [ˌmjuːkəs ˈmembreɪn] / US [ˌmjukəs ˈmemˌbreɪn] noun [countable] Word forms mucous membrane : singular mucous membrane plural mucous membranes medical a thin layer of skin that covers some parts of your body, for example the inside of your nose …   English dictionary mucous membrane — mucosa mucosa n. The mucus secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior; called also {mucous membrane}. Syn: mucous membrane. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English mucous membrane — [[t]mju͟ːkəs me̱mbreɪn[/t]] mucous membranes N COUNT A mucous membrane is skin that produces mucus to prevent itself from becoming dry. It covers delicate parts of the body such as the inside of your nose. [TECHNICAL] …   English dictionary mucous membrane — The moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach). Glands in the mucous membrane make mucus (a thick, slippery fluid). Also called mucosa …   English dictionary of cancer terms 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”