The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium (and lamina propria) of the mouth. It can be divided into three categories.
- Masticatory mucosa, para-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found on the dorsum of the tongue, hard palate and attached gingiva.
- Lining mucosa, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found almost everywhere else in the oral cavity.
- Buccal mucosa refers to the inside lining of the cheeks and is part of the lining mucosa.
- Specialized mucosa, specifically in the regions of the taste buds on the dorsum of the tongue.
Famous quotes containing the word oral:
“My opposition [to interviews] lies in the fact that offhand answers have little value or grace of expression, and that such oral give and take helps to perpetuate the decline of the English language.”
—James Thurber (1894–1961)