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

Examples of mucosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Villi are found in the innermost layer of your intestine, known as the mucosa. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024

These reduce cell proliferation and promote adequate blood flow throughout the GI mucosa. —Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

But the vaccines don’t induce secretory IgA because the cells that make secretory IgA are really lining the mucosa. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023

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
• rugosa
• serosa
• dolorosa
• mariposa
• pigmentosa

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