Oral Mucosa

Question 1

What is the oral mucosa

Answer 1

Mucous membrane that lines the oral cavity

Question 2

Functions of the oral mucosa

Answer 2

Protection - barrier from infection, abrasion and protects underlying tissues.

Sensation - sensory receptors and reflexes.

Secretion - saliva from minor saliva ducts to reduce trauma.

Question 3

Types of oral mucosa

Answer 3

Lining mucosa
Masticatory mucosa
Specialised mucosa

Question 4

What structures are covered by the lining oral mucosa

Answer 4

Buccal/labial mucosa
Floor of mouth
Ventral surface of tongue
Alveolar mucosa
Soft palate

Question 5

Clinical appearance of lining oral mucosa

Answer 5

Softer surface texture
Moist surface
Ability to be stretched and compressed

Question 6

What do sebum deposits from misplaced sebaceous glands caused?

Answer 6

Fordyce spots

Question 7

Where are fordyce spots found?

Answer 7

Sub mucosa

Question 8

What type of epithelium is the lining oral mucosa

Answer 8

Non keratinised stratified squamous

Question 9

What’s the structure/histology of lining oral mucosa

Answer 9

• Non keratinised stratified squamous
• Fewer and less pronounced rete ridges and papillae
• More elastic fibres for speech and swallowing
• Large submucosa layer for compression of underlying tissues.

Question 10

What happens to infection in the lining mucosa?

Answer 10

Spreads rapidly

Question 11

What structures are covered by the masticatory oral mucosa?

Answer 11

Attached gingivae
Hard palate
Dorsum of tongue

Question 12

Clinical appearance of masticatory oral mucosa

Answer 12

Rubbery surface texture
Firm and resiliance
No movement

Question 13

What type of epithelium is the masticatory oral mucosa

Answer 13

Ortho/para keratinised stratified squamous

Question 14

Where would you find ortho keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

Answer 14

Hard palate
Attached gingiva

Question 15

Where would you find para keratinised stratified squamous epithelium

Answer 15

Dorsum of tongue
Parts of attached gingiva

Question 16

What does a thin or non existent submucosa provide function too

Answer 16

Aids with hard surfaces in the mouth for eating and speaking such as the hard palate

Question 17

Histology/structure of keratinised oral epithelium

Answer 17

More rete ridges and bone underlying - gives a firmer base and structure

Question 18

Structures associated with specialised oral mucosa

Answer 18

Lingual papillae

Question 19

Where are lingual papillae located

Answer 19

Dorsal and lingual surfaces of tongue

Question 20

Which type of epithelium is specialised oral mucosa

Answer 20

Ortho/para keratinised stratified squamous

Question 21

Cell turnover time for hard palate

Answer 21

24 days

Question 22

How many times faster does non keratinised oral mucosa turn over than keratinised mucosa

Answer 22

1.5 times faster

Question 23

What might cause non keratinised epithelium to transform into keratinising type

Answer 23

Frictional or chemical trauma

Question 24

What would non keratinised epithelium become if suffers from frictional or chemical trauma

Answer 24

Hyperkeratinised - Orthokeratinised epithelium with keratin and granular layer.

Question 25

What term is referred to the vertical white lines on buccal mucosa

Answer 25

Linea alba

Question 26

How is oral pigmentation formed

Answer 26

Melanocytes sit in the basal layer and store melamine.
This is injected to newly formed epithelial cells.
As tissue ages, these cells will migrate to the surface causing pigmentation.

Question 27

Examples of how other colour changes may occur in the mouth:

Answer 27

Drug induced - chemo, tetracycline
Infection - kaposi sarcoma
Iatrogenic - amalgam tattoo
Self inflicted tattoos