STRUKTUR MAKROSKOPIK DAN MIKROSKOPIK JARINGAN LUNAK MULUT

The oral mucosa resembles intestinal mucosa because it has epithelial cells with high turn over rate and the mucosa is constantly bathed in fluid. It is also similar to skin because it has a stratified epithelim which in many sites is keratinized. To meet its functions in the masticatory process and as the barrier and protection aid in the immune system of the oral cavity, there are three types of oral mucosa: masticatory mucosa which is well developed for rsisting high mechanical stress, lining mucosa which provides flexibility and specialised mucosa which contains the gustatory receptors. Basically the oral mucosa consists of the oral epithelium and the lamina propria which is a connective tissue layer of variable width beneath the epithelium. In some regions a submucosa layer binds the mucosa to the underlying tissues. This paper would describe the regional variation of the oral mucosa microscopic structure with an introductory overview on the macroscopic structure of the oral caity region covered by the mucosa