Mucosal Surfaces

Question 1

What are mucosal surfaces?

Answer 1

• thin layer of epithelia cells that line internal passages
  
  • respiratory tract
  • digestive tract
  • urogenital tract
• function as a protective barrier
• produce mucus (goblet cells)
  
  • viscous polysaccharide fluid layer
  • physically separates cells from luminal contents
• secrete antimicrobial molecules
  
  • antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, defensins

Question 2

What’s the respiratory tract and what are it’s parts?

Answer 2

• upper respiratory tact
  
  • larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity, sinuses, middle ear
• lower respiratory tract
  
  • trachea, bronchia, lungs
• cilia
  
  • thin organelles that extend beyond cell surface
  • line much of proximal airways
  • push mucus and foreign particles towards pharynx
  • function disrupted by many respiratory viruses

Question 3

What is the urogenital tract and what are it’s parts?

Answer 3

• upper female reproductive tract
  
  • single layer of columnar cells
  • form tight junctions and physical barrier
• lower female reproductive tract
  
  • multi-layer stratified squamous cells
  • superficial cells terminally differentiated
• male urethral tract
  
  • keratinized stratified squamous cells at opening
  • quickly transitions to non-keratinized squamous
  • pseudo stratified glandular columnar along length of urethra -> secrete mucosa

Question 4

What are some common gram - mucosal pathogens?

Answer 4

• neisseria meningitidis
  
  • respiratory tract colonizer and pathogen
• neisseria gonorrheae
  
  • reproductive tract colonizer and pathogen
• haemophilus influenzae
  
  • respiratory tract colonizer and pathogen
• bordetella pertussis
  
  • respiratory tract pathogen
• pseudomonas aeruginosa
  
  • respiratory tract pathogen
  • found in ubiquitously in environment