mucous membrane
noun
: 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 : mucosa
Pruritus and congestion involving mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth are frequently observed, and swelling of the lips or tongue may impair swallowing and ventilation. —
Bruce S. Bochner et al.
Bruce S. Bochner et al. Examples of mucous membrane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All these exposures damage the structures that have evolved to protect humans from infection, including the skin and the mucous membranes of the gut and lungs.
—Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024
Hand contacts with fomites and mucous membranes are a potentially dangerous combination.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Our body's nervous system is controlled solely by the brain; the immune system involves the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes and skin.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Less common routes include contact with open wounds or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
The innate immune response is the general way the skin, mucous membranes, immune system cells and proteins fights germs.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
So might anatomical responses to those changes, such as the effect of colder or drier air on mucous membranes and the epithelium of the respiratory tract.
—WIRED, 2 Oct. 2023
Basically, congestion is the swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023
These medications act on adrenergic receptors on the blood vessels that line the nose’s mucous membranes.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023
Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024
Hand contacts with fomites and mucous membranes are a potentially dangerous combination.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Our body's nervous system is controlled solely by the brain; the immune system involves the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes and skin.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Less common routes include contact with open wounds or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
The innate immune response is the general way the skin, mucous membranes, immune system cells and proteins fights germs.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
So might anatomical responses to those changes, such as the effect of colder or drier air on mucous membranes and the epithelium of the respiratory tract.
—WIRED, 2 Oct. 2023
Basically, congestion is the swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023
These medications act on adrenergic receptors on the blood vessels that line the nose’s mucous membranes.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mucous membrane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mucous membrane
Cite this Entry
“Mucous membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucous%20membrane. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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