mucosa

noun

mu·​co·​sa myü-ˈkō-zə 

plural mucosae myü-ˈkō-(ˌ)zē 

-ˌzī

or mucosas

: a membrane rich in mucous glands

specifically : one that lines body cavities and passages (as of the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract) which communicate directly or indirectly with the outside of the body : mucous membrane

Mucus lubricates and protects the gastrointestinal mucosa and helps move the food mass along the digestive tract.

—Sue Rodwell Williams

… to maximize the absorptive area of the epithelium, the mucosa of the small intestine is remodeled into an intricate array of finger or leaf-like protrusions, known as villi, which extend into the lumen.

—Benjamin D. Simons

Inhibition of neuraminidase prevents inactivation of influenza virus by respiratory mucus and likely facilitates infection of the airway mucosa.

—Frederick G. Hayden et al.

mucosal

myü-ˈkō-zəl 

adjective

Examples of mucosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flu viruses usually enter the body through the moist tissues – the mucosa – that line our nose and throat. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026

Mucous membranes—also called mucosa—are the moist tissue that line openings into the body, and are present in the nose, mouth, ears and eyes. — Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025

Nicotine dissolves through the pouch material and is absorbed across the oral mucosa into the bloodstream. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2026

This minimizes the digestive workload, giving the gut mucosa and gut microbiome a chance to restore. — Yola Robert, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of mucosus mucous

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mucosa

• bullosa
• fibrosa
• mimosa
• mucosae
• nervosa
• nodosa
• pilosa
• racemosa
• rugosa
• serosa
• dolorosa
• mariposa

Medical Definition

mucosa

noun

mu·​co·​sa myü-ˈkō-zə 

plural mucosae -(ˌ)zē  -ˌzī  or mucosas

: a membrane rich in mucous glands that lines body passages and cavities (as of the digestive, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts) which connect directly or indirectly with the exterior : mucous membrane

mucosal

-zəl 

adjective