Dorothy FarrarMucous membrane
The mucous membrane is a subform of the skin that has a moist surface. Mucous membranes keep themselves moist through secretion and are able to maintain a different pH environment than the rest of the skin.
Definition
Mucous membranes are often found on the inside of the human body that need effective protection against pathogens. The mucous membrane has several secretion glands with which it can produce the moisture it needs itself. The mucous membrane is characterized by its either acidic or basic pH environment, which it needs for various purposes.
The mucous membrane is also important to ensure lubricity, which is important in the intestine , for example, so that food can pass through. The mucous membrane is a bit more vulnerable than regular skin, but it heals very quickly and is therefore often used as an incision site for surgical procedures. It is usually well supplied with blood and can bleed profusely if injured, depending on the part of the body. Mucous membranes are found in humans in the mouth , nose , vagina or intestines .
Anatomy
Mucous membrane is similar to regular skin because it is also made up of several layers. On the surface is a layer of epithelium , below that is a layer of muscle, and connective tissue in between .
In particular, the upper epithelial layer of a mucous membrane can have one or more layers in order to withstand greater loads. Cornifications can contribute to the resistance of the mucous membrane. Most mucous membranes also contain glands that regularly secrete secretions and thus maintain the milieu of the mucous membrane.
If the mucous membrane can be supplied externally, as is the case in the vagina, for example, it may rarely contain any glands of its own. In other parts of the body, such as the oral cavity, the central salivary glands are part of the mucous membrane.
Function
The main task of the mucous membrane is to maintain an acidic or basic environment. The healthy pH value is different in every part of the body, it is more basic in the intestine and more acidic in the vagina. This pH value is used to ward off pathogens that affect the site. They cannot survive long in such an environment and this alone effectively keeps them away.
Small lymph nodes and immunoglobulins, which can be found in important places in the mucous membrane, continuously protect against pathogens. Since there are also glands in most mucous membranes, these sometimes fulfill the function of secretion production.
In the mouth, for example, glands in the mucous membrane produce saliva . Since moisture is basically well suited for the transport of dissolved substances, some mucous membranes are also important for transport, in particular they transport glucose .
In the oral mucosa, for example, easily digestible, quickly soluble carbohydrates can be immediately absorbed by the body, which makes the mucous membrane part of the digestive tract. Other special forms of the mucous membrane are even responsible for new tissue production, such as the uterine lining , which allows a new layer of mucus every month for the possible implantation of an egg cell .
Diseases
Since the mucous membranes are responsible for intercepting germs and pathogens and rendering them harmless, they often develop symptoms of the disease themselves as a defense. Known are, for example, fungal infections of the vagina or tonsillitis and sore throat.
However, inflammatory reactions of the mucous membrane can also be a real disease, including inflammation of the gastric mucosa or other inflammatory reactions of the digestive tract. Another typical reaction of the mucous membrane to pathogens is the common cold.
Since the human mucous membranes are quite thin compared to other layers of the skin, they can be easily injured. Particularly sharp, pointed objects can quickly injure the mucous membrane. However, this skin type heals just as quickly and minor injuries do not even leave a visible scar.
Since the secretion of the mucous membranes is often controlled by hormones, a hormonal imbalance can lead to a lack of moisture in the mucous membranes. It then becomes noticeably drier and is also more vulnerable to bacteria , viruses and fungi .
Furthermore, some tumor diseases originate from the mucosal tissue, such as stomach and intestinal tumors . More specific diseases related to the mucous membrane are diseases such as endometriosis, which mainly affects women.
The lining of the uterus produces too much mucus and not only stretches along the inside of the uterus but also grows on the surface of other organs. When this type of lining is in the ovaries, the unneeded lining and activity can clog the ovaries, leading to infertility and symptoms such as pain and nausea .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.