Physiology ofOral
Epithelium
The Oral Epithelium renewal As the tissue that forms the surface of the oral mucosa, the oral epithelium constitutethe primary barrier between the oral environment and deeper tissues. Histologically the oral epithelium is a stratified squamous epithelium . the oral epithelium maintains its structural integrity by a process ofcontinuous cell renewal in which cells produced by mitotic division in the deepest layers migrate to the surface toreplace those that are shed by the process of .Desquamation
This process may occurrapidly so that an individual surface cell is shed in a matter of hoursrather than days. Rapid clearance of the surface layer is probably important inlimiting the colonization and invasion of the epithelium .by pathogenic microorganisms
Permeability and Absorption -One function of the oral epithelium is forming an selective permeable barrier. -Differences in permeability exist between regions, depending on the thickness of the epithelial barrier.
-One of the thinnest epithelium regions, the floor of the mouth, may be more permeable than other areas, which is the reason why certain drugs (e.g. Nitroglycerin administered to relieve the pain of angina) are absorbed successfully .when held under the tongue
FUNCTIONS Protection from mechanical forces of -1 food and from pathogenic .microorganisms Sensation responses to temperature, -2 .touch, taste and pain -3.Secretion of saliva
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