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

… 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

One patient had perforation of the rectosigmoid and 4 had lacerations of the mucosa. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2013

Their infective feces often enter the bite wound, oral or nasal mucosa, or conjunctivas and transmit the flagellate parasite. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2011

Behçet's disease is a genetically complex disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks affecting the orogenital mucosa, eyes and skin. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2010

Even though the mucosa is tucked away inside your cheeks, it gets exposed to a lot. —Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2022

The spray vaccine didn’t elicit a strong immune response in the nasal mucosa tissue or in the rest of the body of volunteers, according to researchers at the University of Oxford. —BostonGlobe.com, 11 Oct. 2022

Nine existing vaccines work along these lines, using oral drops to protect the mucosa against diseases such as polio and the flu. —The Week Staff, The Week, 14 Aug. 2022

For example, the agency is funding efforts to boost protection in the nasal mucosa, where COVID often takes root. —Madison Muller, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022

Like bouncers at a bar, IgA antibodies are the primary immune molecules on guard in the mucosa. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 18 July 2022

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Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of mucosus mucous

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

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