Mucous membrane

Mucous membran
Ens.png
Layers:
serosa
longitudinal muscle
myenteric plexus
circular muscle
submucosal plexus
submucosal
mucosal
Gray1033.png
Section of the human esophagus. Moderately magnified. The section is transverse and from near the middle of the gullet.
a. Fibrous covering.
b. Divided fibers of longitudinal muscular coat.
c. Transverse muscular fibers.
d. Submucous or areolar layer.
e. Muscularis mucosae.
f. Mucous membrane, with vessels and part of a lymphoid nodule.
g. Stratified epithelial lining.
h. Mucous gland.
i. Gland duct.
m’. Striated muscular fibers cut across.
Latin tunica mucosa
Gray's subject #242 1110
Dorlands/Elsevier Mucous membrane

The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. They are at several places continuous with skin: at the nostrils, the mouth, the lips, the eyelids, the ears, the genital area, and the anus. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and glands 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, along with the inside of the prepuce (foreskin) and the clitoral hood, are mucous membranes. The urethra is also a mucous membrane. The secreted mucus traps the pathogens in the body, preventing any further activities of diseases.

Contents

Components

Some examples of mucosa

Additional images

Wall of the ureter.

Section of mucous membrane of human stomach, near the cardiac orifice.

General structure of the gut wall showing the Mucosa.

See also

External links

Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Gastrointestinal tract, excluding mouth (TA A05.3-7, GA 11.1141)
Upper GI

Piriform sinus

spaces: Peripharyngeal space (Retropharyngeal space, Parapharyngeal space) · Retrovisceral space (Retropharyngeal space, Danger space) · Prevertebral space

Pterygomandibular raphe · Pharyngeal raphe · Buccopharyngeal fascia · Pharyngobasilar fascia

Pharyngeal muscles

UES · LES · Esophageal glands

Serosa / Adventitia · Muscular layer · Submucosa · Mucosa (Muscularis mucosa)

by region: Greater curvature · Lesser curvature (Angular incisure) · Cardia · Body · Fundus · Pylorus (Pyloric antrum, Pyloric canal)

by layer: Serosa · Muscular layer (Pyloric sphincter) · Submucosa · Gastric mucosa (Muscularis mucosa, Gastric rugae, Gastric pits, Gastric gland/Cardiac glands/Fundic glands/Pyloric glands)
Lower GI
Layers
Serosa · Subserosa · Muscular layer · Circular folds · Submucosa · Mucosa (Muscularis mucosa, Peyer's patches, Intestinal villus, Intestinal gland)
Suspensory muscle, Major duodenal papilla, Minor duodenal papilla, Duodenal cap • Duodenojejunal flexure • Brunner's glands
no substructures
Ileum
Terminal ileum • Ileocecal valve
Intestine: large
Layers
Serosa · Subserosa · Muscular layer · Submucosa · Mucosa
Cecum
ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon
continuous (taenia coli, haustra, epiploic appendix)
Transverse folds of rectum • Rectal ampulla
Anal canal

Anal columns • Anal valves • Anal sinuses • Pectinate line

Sphincter ani internus muscle • Intersphincteric groove • Sphincter ani externus muscle

Anus

: DIG

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