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:
“The Americans are violently oral.... That’s why in America the mother is all-important and the father has no position at all—isn’t respected in the least. Even the American passion for laxatives can be explained as an oral manifestation. They want to get rid of any unpleasantness taken in through the mouth.”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)