Abstract

Oral mucosa includes the oral cavity, nasal passages, pharynx, gastrointestinal tract and urogenital regions. In the oral cavity, this ling is called the oral mucous membrane or oral mucosa. The outer layer of the body has a dry covering, the skin, which continuous towards oral mucosa at the lips. Structurally, the oral mucosa resembles the skin in some respects and is very similar to the mucous membranes of the oesophagus, cervix and vagina but is totally different from the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Skin and the different mucosae all consist of two structurally different tissue components a covering epithelium and an underlying connective tissue. All these tissues function together so the various mucosae and skin can be considered as organs.

It is easy to understand the complex structure of a tissue or organ when its function is known. This is majorly unknown function of the oral mucosa, whose structure reflects a variety of functional adaptations. The major changes are a result of evolutionary changes that have taken place over a long time. However, few reversible changes in structure of oral mucosa is seen in response to function during the lifetime of an individual, which are not heritable.

Oral mucosa has variety of functions of which includes protection of the deeper tissues and glands of the oral cavity. Other functions include sensory perception, synthesis and secretion from glands located in the mucosa and an esthetic role presented by the mucocutaneous junction.

Outer lining, the oral mucosa separates and protects deeper tissues and organs in the oral region from the environment of the oral cavity.