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
This minimizes the digestive workload, giving the gut mucosa and gut microbiome a chance to restore.
—Yola Robert, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Villi are found in the innermost layer of your intestine, known as the mucosa.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
These reduce cell proliferation and promote adequate blood flow throughout the GI mucosa.
—Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for mucosa 
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Yola Robert, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Villi are found in the innermost layer of your intestine, known as the mucosa.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
These reduce cell proliferation and promote adequate blood flow throughout the GI mucosa.
—Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for mucosa
Dictionary Entries Near mucosa
Cite this Entry
“Mucosa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucosa. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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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