oral mucosa

oral mucosa,

the mucous membrane of the cavity of the mouth, including the gums.

---

mucosa (mūkō´s),

n (mucous membrane), a membrane, composed of epithelium and lamina propria.

mucosa, alveolar,

n the covering on the alveolar process loosely attached to bone that extends from the mucogingival junction to the vestibular epithelium and from the mandible to the sublingual sulcus.

mucosa, lining,

n a primary protective mucous membrane that lines the oral cavity. It covers the movable tissues of the soft palate, labial and buccal mucosa, ventral surface of the tongue, and the floor of the oral cavity. It comprises connective tissue and nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

mucosa, masticatory,

n a mucosa comprising the connective tissue and keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium within the oral cavity that protects the areas frequently utilized for the chewing of food (e.g., hard palate and gingiva). See also mucosa, oral.

mucosa, nonkeratinized,

n mucosa in which the cells of the stratified squamous epithelium maintain their cytoplasm and nuclei. It is associated with lining mucosa. See also mucosa, oral.

mucosa, oral,

n the mucous membrane lining of the oral cavity, composed of stratified squamous epithelium and the underlying lamina propria.

mucosa, palatine,

n the mucosa covering the palate.

---

oral hairy leukoplakia (loo´kōplā´kē),

n a filamentous, white plaque found on the lateral borders of the tongue that can spread across the entire dorsum of the tongue and onto the buccal mucosa. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been identified in biopsy specimens of these lesions. An indicator disease for AIDS. See also leukoplakia.

oral health diet score,

n a motivational aid to good nutrition. Merit points are earned by an adequate intake of foods from the recommended food groups. Demerits are given for frequent intake of foods high in sugars. The difference is the oral health diet score. The technique is applicable to children with a high incidence of dental caries.

oral health index,

n a statistical measure that quantifies one or more aspects of a person's or group's oral health status.

oral hygiene,

n See hygiene, oral.

oral manifestation,

n the presence of the signs, symptoms, and lesions of a systemic disease in and around the oral cavity.

oral medicine,

n See medicine, oral.

oral mucosa,

n See mucosa, oral.

oral physiology,

n See physiology, oral.

oral self-examination,

n the procedure shown to dental patients in order to look for indications of cancer. The patient monitors the tissues of his or her oral cavity, as well as those of the head and neck, reporting any changes to a dental professional.

oral surgery,

n See surgery, oral.

oral warts,

n.pl warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that may be scattered throughout the oral cavity or localized in one area. They frequently recur. They are associated with AIDS infection.