Mucosal tissue
Mucosal Tissue
Mucosal tissue (pronunciation: myoo-koh-suhl tish-oo) is a type of epithelial tissue that lines various cavities in the body and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It is often associated with glandular tissue.
Etymology
The term "mucosal" is derived from the Latin word "mucus," which means "slime, mold, snot," and the suffix "-al," which means "pertaining to." The term "tissue" comes from the French word "tissu," which means "a weaving, web, tissue."
Function
Mucosal tissue serves as a barrier and protection against microbes. It also plays a role in absorption and secretion. The mucosal tissue found in the gastrointestinal tract, for example, is involved in the absorption of nutrients from food.
Types
There are several types of mucosal tissue, depending on the location in the body. These include:
- Nasal mucosa: This lines the inside of the nose.
- Oral mucosa: This lines the inside of the mouth.
- Gastric mucosa: This lines the stomach.
- Intestinal mucosa: This lines the intestines.
Related Terms
- Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): This is a diffuse system of small concentrations of lymphoid tissue found in various submucosal membrane sites of the body.
- Mucous membrane: This is another term for mucosal tissue.
- Mucus: This is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mucosal tissue
- Wikipedia's article - Mucosal tissue
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