🤨Why is the oral epithelium termed “stratified squamous”?
The two main components of the oral mucosa are 1) the oral epithelium called stratified squamous epithelium and 2) the underlying connective tissue, also called lamina propria.
Note that the oral epithelium is described as being a "stratified squamous epithelium".
The term "stratified" refers to the oral epithelium being stacked in layers. Epithelium having 2 or more layers of cells are said to be "stratified".
The term "squamous" was derived from cells being compared to the scales of a fish. In general, squamous cells are flat with their height being lesser than their width.
Interestingly, the oral epithelium is described as being "squamous" based on the shape of the cells on the upper surface (which are flat).
The lower most layer of cells (in the stratified squamous epithelium) called the basal cells, are cuboidal or low columnar in shape.