Oral Cavity and Mucosa Flashcards
What makes up the oral mucosa?
- Oral epithelium
- Lamina propria (corium)
- Submucosa
What is the function of the oral mucosa?
- Protection (masticatory/frictional forces)
- Sensation (taste)
- Secretion (saliva)
- Permeability (rapid absorption into body, e.g. sugar for diabetics with hypoglycaemia).
What is the basement membrane?
Junction between epithelium and lamina propria
What is the boundary between the mucosa and submucosa in the oral and intestinal epithelia?
Muscularis mucosae
smooth muscle
Where can lining mucosa be found?
Hard palate
Gingiva
Where can masticatory mucosa be found?
Labial / buccal mucosa
Ventral togue
Floor of mouth
Soft palate
Where can specialised mucosa be found?
Dorsal tongue
What makes up the masticatory mucosa?
Keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What makes up the lining mucosa?
Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What makes up the specialised mucosa?
Nerve endings
What is the function of the masticatory mucosa?
Withstand frictional forces
What is the function of the lining mucosa?
Protection and lining.
What is the mucoperiosteum?
Structure consisting of mucous membrane and periosteum (masticatory mucosa).
- Includes epithelium & lamina propria (no submucosa).
- Attaches directly to periosteum of underlying bone.
Why is the alveolar mucosa bright red?
Many blood vessels
What is the purpose of rete pegs?
Connect alveolar mucosa to underlying tissue.
- Increases SA.
- Enables tissue to withstand masticatory forces.
What is the functional and clinical significance of the mucoperiosteum?
Consists of fatty/glandular tissue with blood vessels and nerve fibres that supply the mucosa.
How is the epithelium attached to the basement membrane?
Via hemidesmosomes and desmosomes.
How can skin disorders develop?
Via defects in the attachment of epithelium to the basement membrane
What cells make up the lamina propria?
Fibroblasts, lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, eosinophilic leukocytes, and mast cells.
What is the lamina propria?
Thin layer of loose (areolar) connective tissue
Where can irregularities in the connective tissue surface of the lamina propria be found? What is the purpose?
Tongue.
Increase SA.
How can you differentiate between lamina propria and submucosa?
Fat and skeletal muscle is only seen in submucosa.
What are the 2 cell types of the oral epithelium?
Progenitor cells
Maturing cells
Wha are the 4 layers of keratinised oral mucosa?
Basal layer (stratum basale)
Prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum)
Granular layer (stratum granulosum)
Keratinised (cornified) layer (stratum corneum)
