Anatomy

Mucous Membrane

An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

12 entry terms
  • Mucosa
  • Mucosal Tissue
  • Mucous Membranes
  • Membrane, Mucous
  • Membranes, Mucous
  • Mucosal Tissues
  • Tissue, Mucosal
  • Tissues, Mucosal
  • Lamina Propria
  • Muscularis Mucosae
  • Mucosae, Muscularis
  • Propria, Lamina

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; prefer specifics; coordinate NIM with specific organ (IM)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QS 532.5.M8

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Mucous Membrane. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009092. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009092
  2. Mucous Membrane. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucous_membrane
  3. Mucous Membrane. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1219805