Mucous membrane
69447
221890232
2008-06-26T15:28:21Z
90.242.36.48
{{Infobox Anatomy
|Name = Mucous membrane
|Latin = tunica mucosa
|GraySubject = 242
|GrayPage = 1110
|Image = Ens.png
|Caption = LAYERS:<BR>[[Serous membrane|serosa]]<BR>[[Muscular coat|longitudinal muscle]]<BR>[[Auerbach's plexus|myenteric plexus]]<BR>[[Muscular coat|circular muscle]]<BR>[[Submucous plexus|submucosal plexus]]<BR>[[submucosa]]l<BR>[[Mucous membrane|mucosal]]
|Image2 = Gray1033.png
|Caption2 = Section of the human esophagus. Moderately magnified. The section is transverse and from near the middle of the gullet.<BR>a. [[Fibrous covering]].<BR>b. Divided fibers of [[longitudinal muscular coat]].<BR>c. [[Transverse muscular fibers]].<BR>d. [[Submucous]] or '''areolar''' layer.<BR>e. [[Muscularis mucosae]].<BR>f. Mucous membrane, with vessels and part of a [[lymphoid nodule]].<BR>g. [[Stratified epithelial lining]].<BR>h. [[Mucous gland]].<BR>i. [[Gland duct]].<BR>m’. [[Striated muscular fibers]] cut across.
|System =
|MeshName =
|MeshNumber =
|DorlandsPre = t_22
|DorlandsSuf = 12831913
}}
The '''mucous membranes''' (or '''mucosae'''; singular '''mucosa''') are linings of mostly [[germ layer|endodermal]] origin, covered in [[epithelium]], which are involved in [[absorption (digestive)|absorption]] and [[secretion]]. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal [[organ (anatomy)|organs]]. It is at several places continuous with [[skin]]: at the [[nostril]]s, the [[lip]]s, the [[ear]]s, the [[Sex organ|genital area]], and the [[anus]]. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and [[glands|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==
<gallery>
Image:Illu ureters wall.jpg|Wall of the ureter.
Image:Gray1053.png|Section of mucous membrane of human stomach, near the cardiac orifice.
Image:Gut wall.svg|General structure of the gut wall showing the Mucosa.
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Mucin]]
*[[Mucocutaneous boundary]]
==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|mucosa}}
* {{UCDavisOrganology|Digestive/mammal/system1/system4}} - "Mammal, whole system (LM, Low)"
* {{MeshName|Mucous+Membrane}}
{{Tissue layers}}
[[Category:Membrane biology]]
{{anatomy-stub}}
[[ar:غشاء مخاطي]]
[[ca:Mucosa]]
[[cs:Sliznice]]
[[da:Slimhinde]]
[[de:Schleimhaut]]
[[es:Mucosa]]
[[eo:Mukozo]]
[[fa:غشاء مخاطی]]
[[fr:Muqueuse]]
[[id:Membran mukosa]]
[[it:Mucosa]]
[[la:Mucosa]]
[[lt:Gleivinė]]
[[hu:Nyálkahártya]]
[[nl:Slijmvlies]]
[[ja:粘膜]]
[[no:Slimhinne]]
[[pl:Błona śluzowa]]
[[pt:Mucosa]]
[[ru:Слизистая оболочка]]
[[sk:Sliznica]]
[[sl:Sluznica]]
[[fi:Limakalvo]]
[[sv:Slemhinna]]
[[th:เยื่อเมือก]]
[[tr:Mukoza]]
[[uk:Слизова оболонка]]