Preclinical Paediatrics · MU Sofia

23. Functions and physiology of the oral mucosa. Characteristics of oral mucosa in childhood

Covers the protective, sensory and secretory roles of the oral mucosa, then the lamina propria and submucosa, with their collagen, reticulin and elastic fibres and the cells found there. Describes taste buds, their location and the three cranial nerves that serve them, with a four-taste breakdown by tongue region. Ends with childhood features: thin, bright red, more fragile, less keratinised, with greater mitotic activity, better regeneration and immature immunity.

Inside: 1 section · 15 flashcards · 4 min

Topic 23 of 40 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Preclinical Paediatrics (Dental Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 523 words (4 min of reading), with 15 flashcards.

In this note

  1. FUNCTIONS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ORAL MUCOSA. CHARACTERISTICS OF ORAL MUCOSA IN CHILDHOOD

FUNCTIONS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ORAL MUCOSA. CHARACTERISTICS OF ORAL MUCOSA IN CHILDHOOD

FUNCTIONS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ORAL MUCOSA

  • The main functions of the oral mucosa are protection, sensation and secretion.
  • It is also related to the mechanical protective properties. They are the synthesis of keratin, breakdown of intercellular organelles, synthesis of extracellular surfactants related to adhesion and protection
  • Epithelial cells synthesize the components of basement membrane, thereby providing the attachment to the underlying connective tissue

LAMINA PROPRIA

  • Connective tissue layer immediately below the epithelium
  • Composed of papillary layer and is deeper reticular layer
  • In papillary layer, connective tissue extends into pockets in the epithelium
  • It increases the surface of epithelium for contact with vascular supply and nerves
  • Deeper reticular layer contains the deeper plexus of vessels and nerves, supported by connective tissue
  • Beneath this zone is the submucosa

SUBMUCOSA

  • Submucosa has a high degree of elasticity and susceptibility to mechanical pressure
  • Loose connective tissue made up of cells, intracellular substance and fibers that are smaller and more erratically arranged than those in lamina propria

FIBERS

There are three main types of fibres within the submucosa

  1. (1) Collagen Fibers
  • Folded, ground fibres composed of fibrils. Built of parallel microfibres (50nm)
  • Molecular structure is tropocollagen
  • Composed of 3 polypeptide chains which are dominated by the amino acids proline, hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine
  1. (2) Reticulin Fibres
  • Fine argyrophilic fibres that surround the cells and bind to them
  • Ensure the static position of blood vessels
  • Consists of 5% collagen and 15% lipids and reticulin
  1. (3) Elastic Fibres
  • Is an amorphous substance made up mainly of proteoglycans
  • Mucous membrane predominantly found in hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate

CELLS

  • Mostly made up of fibroblasts and fibrocytes
  • Synthesize glycosaminoglycans and other structural elements
  • Fibrocytes are spindle-shaped cells attached to short shoots
  • There are cells present in the reticuloendothelial system such as macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes and plasmocytes
  • Performs basic immune systems

TASTE BUDS

  • Microscopic barrel shaped sense organs found in oral epithelium containing the chemical sense of taste
  • Located both on papillae (fungiform, circumvallate and foliate) and found in soft palate, epiglottis, larynx and pharynx
  • Their epithelial cells appear ovoid and are associated with sensory nerve endings arising from chorda tympani
  • Each taste bud contains a few supporting cells on its periphery
  • Taste cells have elongated microvilli that project into the taste pore, associated with nerves
  • Another cell type is the basal cell which are in close contact with the basal lamina. They turn over every 10 days

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