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
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.
Frederick G. Hayden et al. Examples of mucosa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Upon maturation, the adult hookworm latches onto the mucosa of the small intestine and begin to blood-suck.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2011
This second, inside skin is called the mucosa.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022
That IgG can move from the blood across the mucosa.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Once in the gut, the larvae shed their proteinaceous coats upon exposure to the stomach acids and migrate to the mucosa of the bowels to mature into adults.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2016
The research team then studied whether spraying a type of healthy bacteria called Roseomonas mucosa onto a person's skin would reduce eczema flares.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2023
Research has suggested that iron erodes the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 6 Mar. 2023
Surgical treatment of a fungus ball consists in opening the infected sinus cavity at the level of its ostium and removing fungal concretions while sparing the normal mucosa.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2017
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Upon maturation, the adult hookworm latches onto the mucosa of the small intestine and begin to blood-suck.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2011
This second, inside skin is called the mucosa.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022
That IgG can move from the blood across the mucosa.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Once in the gut, the larvae shed their proteinaceous coats upon exposure to the stomach acids and migrate to the mucosa of the bowels to mature into adults.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2016
The research team then studied whether spraying a type of healthy bacteria called Roseomonas mucosa onto a person's skin would reduce eczema flares.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2023
Research has suggested that iron erodes the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 6 Mar. 2023
Surgical treatment of a fungus ball consists in opening the infected sinus cavity at the level of its ostium and removing fungal concretions while sparing the normal mucosa.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mucosa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mucosa
Cite this Entry
“Mucosa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucosa. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mucosa
noun
mu·co·sa
myü-ˈkō-zə
: 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
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