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]]