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
Inhibition of neuraminidase prevents inactivation of influenza virus by respiratory mucus and likely facilitates infection of the airway mucosa. —Frederick G. Hayden et al.
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