Oral mucosa

The oral mucosa is the lining of the oral cavity. The lat -med. Name tunica mucosa oris derives from the Latin tunica, skin ',' tissue ( layer) ', mucus, phlegm ' and os ( genitive oris), mouth '.

The oral mucosa consists of a connective-tissue intrinsic layer (lamina propria ) with various immune cells (lymphocytes, macrophages ), which is covered by a stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium is largely unverhornt but keratinized in the area of the hard palate, the back of the tongue and gums. In addition to epithelial cells epithelium also occur pigment cells ( melanocytes), Langerhans cells and Merkel cells. In the area of the tongue comes before a specialized epithelium, in the taste buds are embedded.

In some places, especially the cornified, a Tela submucosa is formed, are incorporated into the salivary glands packets while the submucosa missing exposed to high mechanical stress points and the mucous membrane is thus almost immovable.

Oral mucosal diseases

Inflammation of the oral mucous membrane is referred to as stomatitis, in the field of gums as gingivitis. Other common diseases of the oral mucosa are:

• Oral lichen planus
• Candida infections
• Leukoplakia
• Bullous diseases
• Hyperplasia of the gingiva ( gingival hyperplasia )

Oral lesions may be an expression of a local action, a parent dermatosis (skin disease) or a systemic disease. Some oral lesions may be precursors of malignant ( malignant ) disease - these are precancerous lesions.

Oral lesions are relatively common, the practical dentist nevertheless often cause difficulties in diagnosis because they can occur in very many shapes and are similar in spite of different causes often. Even if it is the same disease, leads the topography of the lesions to different morphological images.