mucosa

noun

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mu·co·sa | \ myü-ˈkō-zə

plural mucosae\ myü-ˈkō-(ˌ)zē

, -ˌzī \ or mucosas

Definition of mucosa

: 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.

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Examples of mucosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Your nasal passages are lined with mucosa, or mucous membranes, that are sensitive to pathogens and irritants like allergens or viruses. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 7 July 2021 There are some suggestions that steam inhalation might be a factor, by damaging the mucosa. — Judy Stone, Forbes, 3 June 2021 Here, a different class of antibodies exude from the mucosa to neutralize viruses and other intruders. — Claire Bugos, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2021 Another animal study further demonstrated the important role of the mucosa in preventing infection. — Daniel P. Oran, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2021 The trials have so far analyzed only blood, but testing for antibodies in mucosa would confirm that the antibodies can travel to the nose and mouth. — New York Times, 8 Dec. 2020 During an interview on Instagram Live with ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Jennifer Ashton, MD, Fauci explained that people have mucosa (moist tissue) in the nose, mouth, and eyes. — Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 31 July 2020 Another challenge regards one of the ways SARS-CoV-2 enters the body: through the nasal mucosa. — William A. Haseltine, Scientific American, 6 July 2020 That is present not only in the lungs, but in other cells as well, including those in the intestine and in the nasal mucosa, which lines the nasal cavity. — William Petri, The Conversation, 6 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mucosa.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near mucosa

mucorrhea

mucosa

mucose

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Cite this Entry

“Mucosa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucosa. Accessed 19 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for mucosa

mucosa

noun

mu·co·sa | \ myü-ˈkō-zə

plural mucosae\ -(ˌ)zē

, -ˌzī

\ or mucosas

Medical Definition of mucosa

: 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