Mucous membrane

Mucous membrane
Histological section taken from the gastric antrum, showing the mucosa of the stomach
Details
Identifiers
Latintunica mucosa
MeSHD009092
TA98A05.4.01.015
A05.3.01.029
A05.5.01.029
A05.6.01.009
A05.6.01.010
A05.7.01.006
A05.7.01.007
A05.8.02.009
A06.1.02.017
A06.2.09.019
A06.3.01.010
A06.4.02.029
A08.1.05.011
A08.2.01.007
A08.3.01.023
A09.1.02.013
A09.1.04.011
A09.2.03.012
A09.3.05.010
A09.3.06.004
A09.4.02.015
A09.4.02.020
A09.4.02.029
A15.3.02.083
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is mostly of endodermal origin and is continuous with the skin at body openings such as the eyes, eyelids, ears, inside the nose, inside the mouth, lips, the genital areas, the urethral opening and the anus. Some mucous membranes secrete mucus, a thick protective fluid. The function of the membrane is to stop pathogens and dirt from entering the body and to prevent bodily tissues from becoming dehydrated.