Oral Mucosa Flashcards
What is the oral mucosa? + what type of epithelium is it?
The membrane that covers the oral cavity.
- stratified squamous
What are the functions of the oral mucosa? (5)
- Protection (abrasion)
- Sensation (senses)
- Secretion (salivary glands)
- Absorption (dissolving drugs)
- Thermal Regulation (in animals)
What are the 3 types of oral mucosa according to function?
- Masticatory Mucosa
- Lining Muosa
- Specialised Mucosa
What are the 3 types of Oral Mucosa?
- Keratinised
- Non-keratinised
- Specialised
What are the 3 main types of epithelium in the body>
Simple
Stratified
Transitional
What are the 3 major components of the oral mucosa?
Epithelium
Lamina propria
Submucosa
What are some characteristics of the masticatory mucosa?
- what type of tissue
- function
- location
Keratinised
- protects surface from masticatory forces
- gingival + palate
What are some characteristics of the Lining Mucosa?
- type of tissue
- location
- non-keratinised
- labial + buccal + floor of the mouth
What are the characteristics of the Specialised mucosa?
- type of tissue
- location
- function
- keratinised
- dorsal surface of tongue
- taste buds
What type of mucosa is on the:
- anterior 2/3 of the tongue
- posterior 1/3
- masticatory
- specialised
Why is the prickle cell layer called this?
-keratinised bundles of fibres
-cells shrink and desmosomes appear like prickles
What’s the difference between orthokeratin and parakeratin?
Orthokeratin = completely keratinised layer = no organelles
Parakeratin = small nuclei in keratinised layer
Which has more layers and why? Keratinised stratified epithelium or non-keratinised stratified epithelium?
Non-keratinised has more layers
Compensation for not having keratin layer for protection
What are the 2 major types of cells in the epithelium?
Keratinocytes
Non-keratinocytes (eg. Langerhans cells)
What type of cell is a melanocytes, where is it located and what does it do?
-non-keratinocyte
-present in basal layer
-synthesise melanin
