Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Oral mucosa
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium of the mouth. It can be divided into three categories.
- Masticatory mucosa – 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.
- Specialized mucosa – specifically in the regions of the taste buds on the dorsum of the tongue.
External links
External links
- Histology image: 09601loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University – “Digestive System: Oral Cavity and Teeth – lip, oral mucosa”
- Template:OklahomaHistology – “Lip”
- Template:OklahomaHistology – “Lip”
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]