The mouth is the connection of the digestive tract to the outside world. This means that the area of the oral cavity is exposed to many external stimuli and influences. The mouth must be able to withstand hard and hot food and it must be able to deal with various pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms.
To ensure this, the entire oral cavity is lined with a mucous membrane. The mucous membrane of the mouth (lat. Tunica mucosa oris) thus covers the inner surface of the mouth.
The oral mucosa normally meets the requirements of food and microorganisms very well. The cells can divide quickly, so wounds heal faster than in other parts of the human body. In a healthy state, the oral mucosa is moist and rosy.
The mucosa consists almost completely of unkeratinized and partly of keratinized squamous epithelium, the gums and the back of the tongue and the hard palate are covered with keratinized squamous epithelium due to the mechanical stress of chewing and swallowing food. Primarily in the unkeratinized part, small salivary glands are embedded, which in addition to the large salivary glands (Glandula sublingualis, Glandula submandibularis and Glandula parotis) keep the mucosa moist. Taste sensors are also embedded in the epithelium of the tongue. In general, sensory receptors are present in the oral mucosa, which enable tactile sensation, pain perception and temperature perception. Because the oral mucosa is constantly kept moist by saliva, it is protected from external influences.
Symptoms
An inflammation of the oral mucosa (stomatitis) is usually accompanied by pain. These can vary from mild to very severe. The pain can be so severe that it may be impossible to eat.
The pain may also manifest itself as a burning sensation or the burning sensation may occur additionally. Furthermore, the inflammation can itch or sting. The mucous membrane is reddened and may be swollen.
If the mucosa is swollen, this swelling can also cause difficulty swallowing. This can make it difficult to eat and drink. A whitish or yellowish coating may also form.
The coating can occur selectively or over a large area. This can also lead to bad breath. In the case of a pronounced inflammation, bleeding of the mucous membranes may also occur.
Another important symptom are lesions, i.e. injuries to the mucous membrane, which are formed by the inflammation. The mucous membrane can become cracked and tear, so-called ulcerations (ulcer) form. If the inflammation is very pronounced, necrosis (cell death) of the oral mucosa may occur, i.e. parts of the mucosa die off.
Aphthae can also occur. These are defects of the mucous membrane. The aphtae have a round shape and are yellowish or whitish in the center and surrounded by a reddish edge.
They can occur in groups or individually. Aphtae are usually very painful, but apart from the pain they are harmless. The inflammation of the oral mucosa can lead to numbness inside the mouth, and may also result in a reduction or loss of taste. In rare cases and in certain diseases, vesicles may also form. In general, the inflammation of the oral mucosa can be limited to a certain area or affect the entire oral mucosa.
