Corpus: Oral mucosa

The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines the oral cavity. It consists of a multi-layered squamous epithelium that is partly keratinised and partly keratinised.

Due to structural and functional differences, the oral mucosa can be divided into three areas:

• lining oral mucosa
• masticatory oral mucosa
• specialised oral mucosa

Lining oral mucosa[Bearbeiten]

The lining oral mucosa makes up the largest part of the oral mucosa and consists of uncornified squamous epithelium. It lines the soft palate, the underside of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the alveolar processes and the vestibule, i.e. the inside of the cheeks ("planum buccale") and the lips. Their thickness is between 0.1 and 0.5 millimetres.

Masticatory oral mucosa[Bearbeiten]

The masticatory oral mucosa consists of keratinised squamous epithelium. It is partly orthokeratinised and partly parakeratinised. Based on the epidermis, a distinction is made between a stratum basale, a stratum spinosum, a stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. The masticatory oral mucosa is found on the hard palate (palatum durum) and in the area of the gingiva. It is around 0.25 millimetres thick.

Specialised oral mucosa[Bearbeiten]

The specialised oral mucosa consists of keratinised squamous epithelium, which also has special structures known as papillae. They are responsible for taste perception, among other things. The specialised oral mucosa is only found in the area of the back of the tongue. It is explained in more detail under the heading "Tongue".

• Schmelzeisen et al Morphology of the oral mucosa ZM online; advanced training section 2/2002.