Oral Cavity and Mucosa

Question 1

What makes up the oral mucosa?

Answer 1

• Oral epithelium
• Lamina propria (corium)
• Submucosa

Question 2

What is the function of the oral mucosa?

Answer 2

• Protection (masticatory/frictional forces)
• Sensation (taste)
• Secretion (saliva)
• Permeability (rapid absorption into body, e.g. sugar for diabetics with hypoglycaemia).

Question 3

What is the basement membrane?

Answer 3

Junction between epithelium and lamina propria

Question 4

What is the boundary between the mucosa and submucosa in the oral and intestinal epithelia?

Answer 4

Muscularis mucosae

smooth muscle

Question 5

Where can lining mucosa be found?

Answer 5

Hard palate

Gingiva

Question 6

Where can masticatory mucosa be found?

Answer 6

Labial / buccal mucosa
Ventral togue
Floor of mouth
Soft palate

Question 7

Where can specialised mucosa be found?

Answer 7

Dorsal tongue

Question 8

What makes up the masticatory mucosa?

Answer 8

Keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

Question 9

What makes up the lining mucosa?

Answer 9

Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

Question 10

What makes up the specialised mucosa?

Answer 10

Nerve endings

Question 11

What is the function of the masticatory mucosa?

Answer 11

Withstand frictional forces

Question 12

What is the function of the lining mucosa?

Answer 12

Protection and lining.

Question 13

What is the mucoperiosteum?

Answer 13

Structure consisting of mucous membrane and periosteum (masticatory mucosa).

• Includes epithelium & lamina propria (no submucosa).
• Attaches directly to periosteum of underlying bone.

Question 14

Why is the alveolar mucosa bright red?

Answer 14

Many blood vessels

Question 15

What is the purpose of rete pegs?

Answer 15

Connect alveolar mucosa to underlying tissue.

• Increases SA.
• Enables tissue to withstand masticatory forces.

Question 16

What is the functional and clinical significance of the mucoperiosteum?

Answer 16

Consists of fatty/glandular tissue with blood vessels and nerve fibres that supply the mucosa.

Question 17

How is the epithelium attached to the basement membrane?

Answer 17

Via hemidesmosomes and desmosomes.

Question 18

How can skin disorders develop?

Answer 18

Via defects in the attachment of epithelium to the basement membrane

Question 19

What cells make up the lamina propria?

Answer 19

Fibroblasts, lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, eosinophilic leukocytes, and mast cells.

Question 20

What is the lamina propria?

Answer 20

Thin layer of loose (areolar) connective tissue

Question 21

Where can irregularities in the connective tissue surface of the lamina propria be found? What is the purpose?

Answer 21

Tongue.

Increase SA.

Question 22

How can you differentiate between lamina propria and submucosa?

Answer 22

Fat and skeletal muscle is only seen in submucosa.

Question 23

What are the 2 cell types of the oral epithelium?

Answer 23

Progenitor cells

Maturing cells

Question 24

Wha are the 4 layers of keratinised oral mucosa?

Answer 24

Basal layer (stratum basale)
Prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum)
Granular layer (stratum granulosum)
Keratinised (cornified) layer (stratum corneum)

Question 25

What is the difference between keratinised and non-keratinised oral mucosa?

Answer 25

Basal layer and spinosum layer remains the same with both.

Non-keratinised = granulosum and cornified layers become the intermediate and superficial layers.