mucous membranes
Wet body linings
Mucous membranes are the moist linings that cover internal body surfaces exposed to the outside environment—the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, stomach, intestines, and genitals.
They secrete mucus, a slippery substance that protects and lubricates.
When doctors examine your throat or take a swab, they're looking at mucous membrane tissue.
- runny noseNasal discharge symptom
- epitheliumTissue covering body surfaces
- mucinChief glycoprotein of slime
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- nasal cavityAir channel in nose
nasal passage · protective barrier · conjunctiva · immune defense · respiratory tract · glycoproteins · viscoelasticity · lubrication · pharynx · throat · sore throat · nostril · oral · salivary glands · sinus · phlegm · mouth breathing · dry mouth
- mucosal immunityepithelial barrier, mucin
- skinepidermis, dermis, skin, cutis, pores
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune system, immune response, immune cells
- respiratory systemlungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, airways
- disease spreadairborne, bloodborne, contact, droplets, fecal-oral
- Lymphatic Systemlymph, lymph nodes, lymphatic system, lymphatic vessels, spleen