Oral mucosa Flashcards
What are the functions of the oral mucosa?
- Protection
- Mechanical
- Infection, immunity
- Sensation
- Secretion
- Absorption
- Thermoregulation - but not in humans
What are the 3 different types of oral mucosa?
- Lining
- Masticatory
- Gustatory
What are the properties of masticatory mucosa?
- Subjected to friction, compression
- (Para) keratinised
- Thick lamina propria (mucopreiosteum)
What are the properties of lining mucosa?
- Mobile and distensible
- Non-keratinised
- Loose lamina propria and wide submucosa
- More rapid turnover than masticatory mucosa
What are the properties of gustatory mucosa?
- Similar to masticatory
- Keratinised
- Present only on dorsum of tongue
- Characterised by papillae, some bearing taste buds
What is the mucogingival junction?
The scalloped linear area of the gums that separates the free gingiva from the attached gingiva, also called the alveolar mucosa. It can be seen easily by pulling the mandibular lip outward and looking at the labial mucosa of the mandible
What percentage of epithelial cells in the oral mucosa are non-keratinocytes?
10%
What are melanocytes?
- Pigment-producing; in basal cell layer
What are Merkel cells?
- Associated with mechanoreceptor neurons; in basal cell layer
What are Langerhans cells?
- Dendritic cells; found in the basal cell layer; function as antigen presenting cells
Which cells found in the oral mucosa are non-keratinocytes?
- Melanocytes
- Merkel cells
- Langerhans cells
Do filiform papillae contain taste buds?
- No
Do fungiform papillae contain taste buds?
Have a few
Do vallate papillae contain taste buds?
Yes, contain many taste buds
What are sebaceous glands/
Produce wax type material that protects mucosa
