mucous membrane

mucous membrane   n.  A membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the air, such as the respiratory and alimentary tracts, and having cells and associated glands that secrete mucus. Also called mucosa.

mucous membrane [(myooh-kuhs)]

The membrane that lines passageways and cavities in the body that lead to the outside, such as the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, nose, vagina, and urethra. These membranes are equipped with glands that secrete mucus.

Main Entry: mucous membrane
Function: noun
: a membrane rich in mucous glands; specifically : one that lines body passages and cavities which communicatedirectly or indirectly with the exterior (as the alimentary, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts), that functions in protection, support, nutrient absorption, and secretion of mucus, enzymes, andsalts, and that consists of a deep vascular connective-tissue stroma which in many parts of the alimentary canal contains a thin but definite layer of nonstriated muscle and a superficial epitheliumwhich has an underlying basement membrane and varies in kind and thickness but is always soft and smooth and kept lubricated by the secretions of the cells and numerous glands embedded in the membranecalled also mucosa; —compare SEROUS MEMBRANE

mucous membrane n.
A membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the exterior, such as the respiratory, genitourinary, and alimentary tracts, and having cells and associated glands that secrete mucus. Also called mucosa.

mucous membrane

membrane lining bodily cavities and canals that lead to the outside, chiefly the respiratory, digestive, and urogenital tracts. Mucous membranes line many tracts and structures of the body, including the mouth, nose, eyelids, windpipe and lungs, stomach and intestines, and the ureters, urethra, and urinary bladder. The membranes vary in structure, but they all have a surface layer of epithelial cells over a deeper layer of connective tissue. They are called mucous because they contain cells that secrete mucin, a mucopolysaccharide that is the principal constituent of mucus.

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