The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium (and lamina propria) of the mouth. It can be divided into three categories.
- Masticatory mucosa, para-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found on the dorsum of the tongue, hard palate and attached gingiva.
- Lining mucosa, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found almost everywhere else in the oral cavity.
- Buccal mucosa refers to the inside lining of the cheeks and is part of the lining mucosa.
- Specialized mucosa, specifically in the regions of the taste buds on the dorsum of the tongue.
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