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Mucosa of Hard Palate
Digestive System

Mucosa of Hard Palate

Tunica mucosa palati duri

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Structure/Morphology

The palatine mucosa coats the hard palate. It attaches to the palatine process of the maxilla and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone.

The mucosa of the hard palate is masticatory mucosa and it is lined with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

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Key Features/Anatomical Relations

Anteriorly, the palatine mucosa and the attached gingivae do not have a distinct border. However, a series of transverse mucosal folds are formed on the anterior portion of the hard palate and aid in mastication. Posteriorly, it is continuous with the mucosa of the soft palate.

Function

The mucosa of the hard palate acts as a barrier against the external environment, such as preventing injury, water loss, and microbial invasion. Additionally, since the mucosa of the hard palate is considered masticatory mucosa, it protects underlying structures from the mechanical stresses of mastication.

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Hard Palate

ScienceDirect image

The hard palate is an oral cavity structure formed by the palatine processes of the maxillae anteriorly and horizontal plates of the palatine bones posteriorly.

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