Oral mucosa - wikipedia Oral mucosa Oral mucosa Details Latin tunica mucosa oris Dorlands / Elsevier t_22 / 12832012 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth and consists of stratified squamous epithelium termed oral epithelium and an underlying connective tissue termed lamina propria. The oral cavity has sometimes been described as a mirror that reflects the health of the individual. Changes indicative of disease are seen as alterations in the oral mucosa lining the mouth, which can reveal systemic conditions, such as diabetes or vitamin deficiency, or the local effects of chronic tobacco or alcohol use. Contents 1 Classification 2 Structure 3 Function 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Classification Oral mucosa can be divided into three main categories based on function and histology : Masticatory mucosa, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found on the dorsum of the tongue, hard palate and attached gingiva. Lining mucosa, nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found almost everywhere else in the oral cavity, including the : Buccal mucosa refers to the inside lining of the cheeks and floor of the mouth and is part of the lining mucosa. Labial mucosa refers to the inside lining of the lips and is part of the lining mucosa. Alveolar mucosa refers to the lining between the buccal and labial mucosae. It is a brighter red, smooth and shiny with many blood vessels, and is not connected to underlying tissue by rete pegs. Specialized mucosa, specifically in the regions of the taste buds on lingual papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue that contains nerve endings for general sensory reception and taste perception. Structure Schematic illustration of the layers found in keratinized oral mucosa that include a deeper lamina propria and basement membrane in - between and superficial layers of strafied squamous epithelium that include from deepest to most superficial : 1 : Stratum basale 2 : Stratum spinosum 3 : Stratum granulosum 4 : Stratum corneum Oral mucosa consists of two layers, the surface stratified squamous epitheli um and the deeper lamina propria. In keratinized oral mucosa, the epithelium consists of four layers : Stratum basale ( basal layer ) Stratum spinosum ( prickle layer ) Stratum granulosum ( granular layer ) Stratum corneum ( keratinized layer ) In nonkeratinised epithelium, the two deep layers ( basale and spinosum ) remain the same but the outer layers are termed the intermediate and superficial layers. Depending on the region of the mouth, the epithelium may be nonkeratinized or keratinized. Nonkeratinized squamous epithelium covers the soft palate, inner lips, inner cheeks, and the floor of the mouth, and ventral surface of the tongue. Keratinized squamous epithelium is present in the attached gingiva and hard palate as well as areas of the dorsal surface of the tongue. Keratinization is the differentiation of keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum into nonvital surface cells or squames to form the stratum corneum. The cells terminally differentiate as they migrate to the surface from the stratum basale where the progenitor cells are located to the superficial surface. Unlike keratinized epithelium, nonkeratinized epithelium normally has no superficial layers showing keratinization. Nonkeratinized epithelium may, however, readily transform into a keratinizing type in response to frictional or chemical trauma, in which case it undergoes hyperkeratinization. This change to hyperkeratinization commonly occurs on the usually nonkeratinized buccal mucosa when the linea alba forms, a white ridge of calloused tissue that extends horizontally at the level where the maxillary and mandibular teeth come together and occlude. Histologically, an excess amount of keratin is noted on the surface of the tissue, and the tissue has all the layers of an orthokeratinized tissue with its granular and keratin layers. In patients who have habits such as clenching or grinding ( bruxism ) their teeth, a larger area of the buccal mucosa than just the linea alba becomes hyperkeratinized. This larger white, rough, raised lesion needs to be recorded so that changes may be made in the dental treatment plan regarding the patient 's parafunctional habits. Even keratinized tissue can undergo further level of hyperkeratinization ; an increase in the amount of keratin is produced as a result of chronic physical trauma to the region. Changes such as hyperkeratinization are reversible if the source of the injury is removed, but it takes time for the keratin to be shed or lost by the tissue. Thus, to check for malignant changes, a baseline biopsy and microscopic study of any whitened tissue may be indicated, especially if in a high - risk cancer category, such with a history of tobacco or alcohol use or are HPV positive. Hyperkeratinized tissue is also associated with the heat from smoking or hot fluids on the hard palate in the form of nicotinic stomatitis. The lamina propria is a fibrous connective tissue layer that consists of a network of type I and III collagen and elastin fibers in some regions. The main cells of the lamina propria are the fibroblasts, which are responsible for the production of the fibers as well as the extracellular matrix. The lamina propria, like all forms of connective tissue proper, has two layers : papillary and dense. The papillary layer is the more superficial layer of the lamina propria. It consists of loose connective tissue within the connective tissue papillae, along with blood vessels and nerve tissue. The tissue has an equal amount of fibers, cells, and intercellular substance. The dense layer is the deeper layer of the lamina propria. It consists of dense connective tissue with a large amount of fibers. Between the papillary layer and the deeper layers of the lamina propria is a capillary plexus, which provides nutrition for the all layers of the mucosa and sends capillaries into the connective tissue papillae. A submucosa may or may not be present deep in the dense layer of the lamina propria, depending on the region of the oral cavity. If present, the submucosa usually contains loose connective tissue and may also contain adipose tissue or salivary glands, as well as overlying bone or muscle within the oral cavity. A variable number of Fordyce spots or granules are scattered throughout the nonkeratinized tissue. These are a normal variant, visible as small, yellowish bumps on the surface of the mucosa. They correspond to deposits of sebum from misplaced sebaceous glands in the submucosa that are usually associated with hair follicles. A basal lamina ( basement membrane without aid of the microscope ) is at the interface between the oral epithelium and lamina propria similar to the epidermis and dermis. Function Protection Sensation Secretion Thermal regulation See also Oral mucosa tissue engineering Junctional epithelium Oral cancer Salivary glands Basal lamina Fibroblast References Jump up ^ Ten Cate 's Oral Histology, Nanci, Elsevier, 2013, page 280 Jump up ^ Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases at eMedicine Jump up ^ Squier, Christopher A. ; Kremer, Mary J. ( 2001 ). `` Biology of Oral Mucosa and Esophagus ''. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs ( 29 ) : 7 -- 15. PMID 11694559. Jump up ^ Chandra ( 1 January 2004 ). Textbook of Dental and Oral Histology and Embryology with MCQs. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. pp. 180 --. ISBN 978 - 81 - 8061 - 238 - 1. ^ Jump up to : University of Michigan Health System, Learning Resource Center at http://histology.med.umich.edu/node/2 Jump up ^ Luiz Carlos Junquiera et al ( 2005 ), Basic Histology, p. 282, ISBN 0 - 07 - 144116 - 6 ^ Jump up to : Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, Bath - Balogh and Fehrenbach, Elsevier, 2011, page 106 Jump up ^ Ten Cate 's Oral Histology, Nanci, Elsevier, 2013, page 285 ^ Jump up to : Ten Cate 's Oral Mucosa, Nanci, Elsevier, 2013, page 278 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tunica mucosa oris. Histology image : 09601loa -- Histology Learning System at Boston University -- `` Digestive System : Oral Cavity and Teeth -- lip, oral mucosa '' Histology image : 95_04 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -- `` Lip '' Histology image : 95_07 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -- `` Lip '' Common Dental and Oral Mucosal Disorders, Duke University at http://pamodules.mc.duke.edu/Oral_Health/Print.asp?CourseNum=1&LessonNum=3 Anatomy of the mouth Lip Upper Lower Vermilion border Frenulum of lower lip Labial commissure of mouth Philtrum Cheek Buccal fat pad Roof Hard palate Soft palate Palatine raphe Incisive papilla Gums Interdental papilla Gingival sulcus Gingival margin Gingival fibers Junctional epithelium Mucogingival junction Sulcular epithelium Stippling Periodontium Cementum Gingiva Periodontal ligament Glands Parotid gland duct Submandibular gland duct Sublingual gland duct Teeth see tooth anatomy Tongue Top Taste bud Median sulcus Terminal sulcus Foramen cecum Lingual tonsils Underside Frenulum Fimbriated fold Sublingual caruncle Glossoepiglottic folds Lingual septum Back of mouth Oropharynx fauces Plica semilunaris of the fauces Uvula Palatoglossal arch Palatopharyngeal arch Tonsillar fossa Palatine tonsil Oral and maxillofacial pathology ( K00 -- K06, K11 -- K14, 520 -- 525, 527 -- 529 ) Lips Cheilitis Actinic Angular Plasma cell Cleft lip Congenital lip pit Eclabium Herpes labialis Macrocheilia Microcheilia Nasolabial cyst Sun poisoning Trumpeter 's wart Tongue Ankyloglossia Black hairy tongue Caviar tongue Crenated tongue Cunnilingus tongue Fissured tongue Foliate papillitis Glossitis Geographic tongue Median rhomboid glossitis Transient lingual papillitis Glossoptosis Hypoglossia Lingual thyroid Macroglossia Microglossia Rhabdomyoma Palate Bednar 's aphthae Cleft palate High - arched palate Palatal cysts of the newborn Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia Stomatitis nicotina Torus palatinus Oral mucosa -- Lining of mouth Amalgam tattoo Angina bullosa haemorrhagica Behçet 's disease Bohn 's nodules Burning mouth syndrome Candidiasis Condyloma acuminatum Darier 's disease Epulis fissuratum Erythema multiforme Erythroplakia Fibroma Giant - cell Focal epithelial hyperplasia Fordyce spots Hairy leukoplakia Hand, foot and mouth disease Hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis Herpangina Herpes zoster Intraoral dental sinus Leukoedema Leukoplakia Lichen planus Linea alba Lupus erythematosus Melanocytic nevus Melanocytic oral lesion Molluscum contagiosum Morsicatio buccarum Oral cancer Benign : Squamous cell papilloma Keratoacanthoma Malignant : Adenosquamous carcinoma Basaloid squamous carcinoma Mucosal melanoma Spindle cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma Verrucous carcinoma Oral florid papillomatosis Oral melanosis Smoker 's melanosis Pemphigoid Benign mucous membrane Pemphigus Plasmoacanthoma Stomatitis Aphthous Denture - related Herpetic Smokeless tobacco keratosis Submucous fibrosis Ulceration Riga -- Fede disease Verruca vulgaris Verruciform xanthoma White sponge nevus Teeth ( pulp, dentin, enamel ) Amelogenesis imperfecta Ankylosis Anodontia Caries Early childhood caries Concrescence Failure of eruption of teeth Dens evaginatus Talon cusp Dentin dysplasia Dentin hypersensitivity Dentinogenesis imperfecta Dilaceration Discoloration Ectopic enamel Enamel hypocalcification Enamel hypoplasia Turner 's hypoplasia Enamel pearl Fluorosis Fusion Gemination Hyperdontia Hypodontia Maxillary lateral incisor agenesis Impaction Wisdom tooth impaction Macrodontia Meth mouth Microdontia Odontogenic tumors Keratocystic odontogenic tumour Odontoma Dens in dente Open contact Premature eruption Neonatal teeth Pulp calcification Pulp stone Pulp canal obliteration Pulp necrosis Pulp polyp Pulpitis Regional odontodysplasia Resorption Shovel - shaped incisors Supernumerary root Taurodontism Trauma Avulsion Cracked tooth syndrome Vertical root fracture Occlusal Tooth loss Edentulism Tooth wear Abrasion Abfraction Acid erosion Attrition Periodontium ( gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolus ) -- Gums and tooth - supporting structures Cementicle Cementoblastoma Gigantiform Cementoma Eruption cyst Epulis Pyogenic granuloma Congenital epulis Gingival enlargement Gingival cyst of the adult Gingival cyst of the newborn Gingivitis Desquamative Granulomatous Plasma cell Hereditary gingival fibromatosis Hypercementosis Hypocementosis Linear gingival erythema Necrotizing periodontal diseases Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis Pericoronitis Peri-implantitis Periodontal abscess Periodontal trauma Periodontitis Aggressive As a manifestation of systemic disease Chronic Perio - endo lesion Teething Periapaical, mandibular and maxillary hard tissues -- Bones of jaws Agnathia Alveolar osteitis Buccal exostosis Cherubism Idiopathic osteosclerosis Mandibular fracture Microgenia Micrognathia Intraosseous cysts Odontogenic : periapical Dentigerous Buccal bifurcation Lateral periodontal Globulomaxillary Calcifying odontogenic Glandular odontogenic Non-odontogenic : Nasopalatine duct Median mandibular Median palatal Traumatic bone Osteoma Osteomyelitis Osteonecrosis Bisphosphonate - associated Neuralgia - inducing cavitational osteonecrosis Osteoradionecrosis Osteoporotic bone marrow defect Paget 's disease of bone Periapical abscess Phoenix abscess Periapical periodontitis Stafne defect Torus mandibularis Temporomandibular joints, muscles of mastication and malocclusions -- Jaw joints, chewing muscles and bite abnormalities Bruxism Condylar resorption Mandibular dislocation Malocclusion Crossbite Open bite Overbite Overeruption Overjet Prognathia Retrognathia Scissor bite Maxillary hypoplasia Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Salivary glands Benign lymphoepithelial lesion Ectopic salivary gland tissue Frey 's syndrome HIV salivary gland disease Necrotizing sialometaplasia Mucocele Ranula Pneumoparotitis Salivary duct stricture Salivary gland aplasia Salivary gland atresia Salivary gland diverticulum Salivary gland fistula Salivary gland hyperplasia Salivary gland hypoplasia Salivary gland neoplasms Benign : Basal cell adenoma Canalicular adenoma Ductal papilloma Monomorphic adenoma Myoepithelioma Oncocytoma Papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum Pleomorphic adenoma Sebaceous adenoma Malignant : Acinic cell carcinoma Adenocarcinoma Adenoid cystic carcinoma Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma Lymphoma Mucoepidermoid carcinoma Sclerosing polycystic adenosis Sialadenitis Parotitis Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis Sialectasis Sialocele Sialodochitis Sialosis Sialolithiasis Sjögren 's syndrome Orofacial soft tissues -- Soft tissues around the mouth Actinomycosis Angioedema Basal cell carcinoma Cutaneous sinus of dental origin Cystic hygroma Gnathophyma Ludwig 's angina Macrostomia Melkersson -- Rosenthal syndrome Microstomia Noma Oral Crohn 's disease Orofacial granulomatosis Perioral dermatitis Pyostomatitis vegetans Other Eagle syndrome Hemifacial hypertrophy Facial hemiatrophy Oral manifestations of systemic disease Salivary microbiome Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oral_mucosa&oldid=805074661 '' Categories : Dental anatomy Hidden categories : Medicine infobox template using GraySubject or GrayPage Medicine infobox template using Dorlands parameter Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Nederlands Português Edit links This page was last edited on 12 October 2017, at 22 : 04. 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Question: what is the lining of the mouth called
Answer: oral mucosa