bindehinnan

Bindehinnen is a term used in several European languages to refer to the mucous membranes that line cavities and passages which open to the exterior of the body. These membranes line areas such as the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tracts, as well as the eyelids and the inner surfaces of the eyes (the conjunctiva). In anatomy, a mucous membrane consists of an epithelial layer resting on a underlying connective tissue layer called the lamina propria; the epithelium can vary by location, from stratified squamous in the mouth and esophagus to ciliated or form columnar in the respiratory tract. Goblet cells within the epithelium secrete mucus, which helps hydrate, protect, and trap particles.

Functions of bindehinnen include protection against mechanical and chemical stress, lubrication to reduce friction, absorption in certain regions, and a first line of immune defense. The mucus layer and, in some sites, ciliary movement work together to clear pathogens and particulates from the tract.

Clinical relevance may arise when these membranes become inflamed or dried. Inflammation of mucous membranes, such as conjunctivitis (eye) or rhinitis (nose), is common and can be due to infections, allergies, or autoimmune conditions. Disorders that reduce mucus production, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, can lead to dryness and discomfort in affected membranes.

Bindehinnen is part of the broader category of mucous membranes, distinguished from serous membranes that line closed body cavities and from cutaneous or synovial membranes.