Mucous Membrane (also known as Membrane, Mucous, Membranes, Mucous): An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epit

NIH MeSH · D009092Anatomy

Mucous Membrane

Also known asMembrane, Mucous · Membranes, Mucous · Mucosa · Mucosal Tissue · Mucosal Tissues · Tissue, Mucosal · Tissues, Mucosal · Mucous Membranes · Lamina Propria · Propria, Lamina · Muscularis Mucosae · Mucosae, Muscularis

Definition

An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.

MeSH classification

  • A10.615.550

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Common questions about Mucous Membrane

What does Mucous Membrane mean in medicine?
An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Mucous Membrane known by any other names?
Yes. Mucous Membrane is also referred to as Membrane, Mucous, Membranes, Mucous, Mucosa, Mucosal Tissue in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Mucous Membrane sit in the medical classification?
Mucous Membrane falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A10.615.550). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Mucous Membrane?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D009092) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗