Oral mucosa

The oral mucosa is the moist, stratified squamous epithelial tissue lining the inside of the mouth, consisting of a surface epithelium and underlying connective tissue (lamina propria), sometimes with a deeper submucosa. It is regionally specialized as masticatory, lining, or specialized mucosa: - Masticatory mucosa: keratinized, covering gingiva and hard palate, resisting mechanical stress - Lining mucosa: non-keratinized, lining lips, cheeks, floor of mouth; flexible and stretchable - Specialized mucosa: on the dorsum of the tongue, contains taste buds and papillae The oral mucosa provides key biological functions as a physical and immune barrier, secretion of saliva and other substances, and sensory perception, including taste. It plays an essential clinical role in conditions ranging from infection, inflammation, and ulceration, to malignancy and serves as an absorption site for some medications. However, it is not itself a molecular drug target or receptor.

Other names

oral liningoral mucous membrane