Specialized Mucosa Of The Tongue: Structure And Features

Specialized Mucosa Of The Tongue: Structure And Features

Question 1. Specialized mucosa
Answer:

• The mucous membrane covering the dorsum of the tongue is called specialized mucosa

Dorsum of the tongue:

• It is rough and irregular
• It is divided by the V-shaped groove called sulcus terminals into
• Anterior two-third or papillary part
• Posterior one third or lymphatic part

Papillae of the tongue:

Posterior one-third of the tongue:

• It contains round or oval prominences called lingual follicles
• Each of these has one or more lymph nodules
• The lingual follicles together form lingual tonsil

Question 2. Lining mucosa 
Answer:

• The oral mucosa covering the underside of the tongue, inside of the lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, vestibule, and alveolar mucosa are classified as lining mucosa.

Histology:

1. Epithelium

• Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
• The surface is flexible to withstand stretching

2. Junction between epithelium and lamina propria

• Smooth
• Connective tissue papilla often penetrates into the epithelium

3. Lamina propria

• Thicker
• Contains fewer irregular collagen fibers and elastic fibers

4. Submucosa

• The mucosa of the soft palate is separated from the loose and highly glandular submucosa by a layer of elastic fibers

Functions:

• Collagen fibers help to stretch the mucosa to a certain limit
• Elastic fibers tend to control the extensibility of the mucosa