We all know that good oral health goes beyond brushing and flossing. Our mouth plays several more roles than we think. But what is actually in our mouth? You should know that the oral cavity is the first component of your super important digestive tract. Besides your teeth, your mouth is made up of the tongue, gums, salivary glands, oral mucous membrane, upper and lower jaw, the uvula, and the frenulum.
The mucous membranes protect the inside parts of the human body, typically the areas that are exposed to air. Quite similar to how our skin protects our external body. These membranes, enriched with mucous glands, continuously secrete mucus which helps to keep the membranes moist.
The mucous membranes are often located in areas that are contiguous with your skin. The primary role of your skin is to protect your body against external elements. Most of them secrete a viscous, thick substance called mucous and hence the name.
The mucous membrane is also known as mucosa. It is a layer of cells surrounding the human body openings and body openings. According to research, there is a close relationship between your oral mucosa and general health. You can continue reading to learn more facts about mucosa and its role in the human body.
Definition of Mucous Membrane
In general, the functions of the mucous membranes located in your mouth are to protect your oral cavity from infection. There are numerous viruses and bacteria present in your mouth. Moreover, the mucous may also help keep your body’s tissues adequately moisturized.
Note that specific mucous membranes have specialized functions. For instance, the gastric plus intestinal mucosa is involved with the digestion and absorption of food.
This membrane found in the reproductive organs such as the vagina plays a vital role. Do you know that the vaginal mucosa produces naturally occurring vaginal discharge? It is part of self-cleaning and keeping the vagina area moist.
It is important to note that the mucous is located in areas adjoin the skin. The role of these membranes is to protect your body against external elements. Most of them secrete a viscous, thick substance called mucous, hence their name.
The human body has four types of tissue: connective tissue, epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue. All the organs, cartilage, bones, and other body parts are attached to these tissues. Among these the epithelium tissue is subdivided into two categories: mucous membranes and serous membranes.
The mucous membranes, made of epithelial cells, protect and cover the underlying connective tissue. Your connective tissues are built of elastic and fibrous tissue that support other human body structures.
Examples of mucous membranes often include the lips, mouth, nasal passages, middle ear, and the eustachian tube. Other mucous membranes in your body have the lining of the urogenital tract. It also includes the vagina and urethra and the digestive tract lining. They also cover the lining of the respiratory tract and your eyes, known as the conjunctival membranes.
Example of the Mucous Membranes
As your nose, ears, and throat are organs exposed to the outside world – mucous membranes are found in these organs. The membrane is usually made from ectodermal tissue. The mucosa contains or secretes mucus. Mucus is a thick fluid that protects the inside of your body from dirt and pathogens like viruses and bacteria.
Oral Mucous Membranes
The membranes found in your oral cavity are reddish-pink membranes that line the inside of your mouth. Your oral mucosa continues outside your mouth to form your lips.
Because these membranes tend to become dry if you do not adequately hydrate them. You must be aware of how often your lips become dry. Under normal circumstances, your saliva helps to keep your lips moist.
Nasal Mucous Membranes
The nasal mucosa are lined with small blood vessels that often help to humidify and warm up the air you breathe. The membrane is lined with cilia, tiny hair-like structures that may help trap the debris you breathe in.
The cilia will then move the debris either toward the front of your nose or toward the back of the throat. This function is vital for your immune system, helping to keep harmful germs away from your body.
Mucous Membranes of the Ears
You should know that these membranes are the first line of defense for your middle ear – a bacteria-free zone. Just like your nasal mucous membranes, these also have cilia that move away from any debris toward the opening of the auditory tube.
Even the auditory tube has similar mucous membranes with cilia to transport the debris toward the back of your throat. Once it reaches the throat, you will then swallow this debris.
It is common that your middle ear can be affected by allergies and infections. As a result, it may get filled up with fluid. This fluid can be infected or sterile, containing secretory IgA antibodies and white blood cells.
Esophageal Mucous Membranes
The esophageal mucous membranes work together with the muscular action to allow peristalsis. Peristalsis is primarily the process of moving food from your mouth towards the stomach. Peristalsis works in a wave-like motion that actually assists food movement down the esophageal and finally to the stomach.
The mucous membranes in the esophagus may also contain minor salivary glands. These salivary glands secrete bicarbonate but in high concentrations. The bicarbonate chemical mainly helps to neutralize refluxed stomach acid. Otherwise, if this stomach acid reaches your mouth, it may be harmful to your teeth and gums. It may also give rise to acid reflux.
The Function of the Mucous Membrane
First and foremost, the function of these membranes is to protect your body from harmful external agents. However, this protection occurs in two ways:
- The epithelial tissue in the mucous membranes first forms a barrier because of its dense structure. Hence the layer can prevent pathogens from entering.
- At the same time, the mucous membranes also secrete mucus. Mucus, a viscous substance that keeps those areas moist. The epithelial tissue cells produce the thick gel called goblet cells. These goblet cells contain natural antibiotics called defensins.
Therefore, any pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, etc., that attempt to penetrate your mucous membrane are both caught in the mucus and attacked by your body’s defenses. Remember that only the mucous membranes found in your urinary tract are free of mucous.
Another role of some mucous membranes is absorption. The membranes found in the digestive tract may absorb part of the nutrients helping to transfer them elsewhere in your body.
Your nasal mucous membranes are covered with multiple short hairs. Their primary function is to block out the maximum number of inhaled particles. So that they do not enter the respiratory system.
Aging and Your Mucous Membranes
Unlike tissue or skin on the outside of your body, these membranes are relatively sheltered from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. These membranes are also not exposed to the weather. This often helps keep the membranes relatively unchanged throughout your aging process.
Mucous membranes in your body replace themselves quite quickly. Several studies have confirmed that the human oral mucosa becomes increasingly thin with age.
Oral Mucous Membranes Are the Mirror of the Body
Do you know that the human oral cavity is known as the “mirror of the body”. Probably because the condition of the membranes in your mouth change depending on different diseases. If your doctor does a thorough oral examination, they can diagnose issues you might be having.
If you look at the mirror and open your mouth, everything you see inside is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa or mucous membrane. This oral mucosa is very similar to the mucous membranes that line the inside of your ears and nostrils.
Your oral mucosa usually plays a significant role in maintaining your oral health and even your overall health. As the membrane actively protects and defends your body from harmful germs that enter the oral cavity. Additionally, the membrane also contains keratin. Keratin is the substance found in your fingernails and hair that help make the mucosa resistant to injury.
Caring for Your Mucous Membranes
Hope you know that you also need to care for the oral mucosa in your mouth like other parts of the body. If you have dry mucosa, they are a sign of dehydration and might lead to various health problems. For instance, dry membranes in the lining of your nose may cause frequent bloody noses.
Therefore, you need to keep your mucosa wet. One of the easiest ways to keep the membranes moist is drinking plenty of water. You may also try using a humidifier, preferably a cool-mist humidifier. These tips can help keep your mouth wet, preventing dry mouth.
The mucous membrane mostly affected are your eyes and one on the oral cavity. Mucous membrane pemphigoid may affect the various mucosa. It is a chronic disorder characterized by blisters. These blisters appear when your immune system attacks the different membranes causing sores and blisters.
Therefore, to take care of your mucosa you should drink plenty of water as it helps keep your mouth hydrated. The mucosa also keeps the tissues moist, especially in the nose and mouth, functioning as a protective barrier. In case of any problems, discuss them with your doctor.
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