The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular: mucosa) are linings of ectodermic origin, covered in epithelium, and are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. It is at several places continuous with skin: at the nostrils, the lips, the ears, the genital area, and the anus. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and gland is termed mucus. The term 'mucous membrane' refers to where they are found in the body and not every mucous membrane secretes mucus. It has been suggested that organogenesis be merged into this article or section. ... In zootomy, epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. ... Look up absorption in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Absorption may refer to: In physics: absorption (chemistry) - absorption of particles of gas or liquid in liquid or solid material as studied in physical chemistry absorption (optics) - absorption of photons by a material Absorption (acoustics) - absorption of sound waves by a material... Secretion is the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing chemicals from a cell, or a secreted chemical substance or amount of substance. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues that perform a specific function or group of functions. ... A close-up of human skin. ... A nostril is one of the two channels of the nose, from the point where they bifurcate to the external opening. ... The lips of a female Lips are a visible organ at the mouth of humans and many animals. ... A human ear An ear is the organ used by a human or an animal to detect sound waves. ... Male Human Anatomy Anal redirects here. ... A gland is an organ in an animals body that synthesizes a substance for release such as hormones, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland). ... Mucus is a slippery secretion of the lining of various membranes in the body (mucous membranes). ... With regard to living things, a body is the integral physical material of an individual, and contrasts with soul, personality and behavior. ...

Body cavities featuring mucous membrane include most of the respiratory tract, the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the rectum, the urethra, and various other organs. In addition, the vagina, cervix, the clitoris, the covering of the glans penis (head of the penis) and the inside of the prepuce (foreskin) is mucous membrane, not skin. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. ... The posterior aspect of the rectum exposed by removing the lower part of the sacrum and the coccyx. ... Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... For other uses, see Vagina (disambiguation). ... Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... A womans clitoris extends from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone. ... The glans penis is the sensitive erectile tip of the penis. ... The penis (plural penises or penes) or phallus is an external male sexual organ. ... The prepuce is a retractable piece of skin which covers part of the genitals of primates and other mammals. ...

Types of mucosa (incomplete)

• Buccal mucosa
• Gastric mucosa
• Intestinal mucosa
• Olfactory mucosa
• Oral mucosa

Buccal mucosa is mucous membrane of the inside of the cheek. ... For the Physics term GUT, please refer to Grand unification theory The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and... The olfactory mucosa is an organ made up of the olfactory epithelium and the mucosa, or mucus secreting glands, behind the epithelium. ...

See also

• Mucin
• Mucocutaneous boundary