The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium of the mouth. It can be divided into three categories.

• Masticatory mucosa - keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found on the dorsum of the tongue, hard palate and attached gingiva.
• Lining mucosa - non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, found almost everywhere else in the oral cavity.
• Specialized mucosa - specifically in the regions of the taste buds on the dorsum of the tongue.