New York Tattoo License Practice Test

Which body parts are lined by mucous membranes?

1. Only the skin

2. Arms and legs

3. Mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals

4. Heart and lungs

The correct answer is: Mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals

Mucous membranes are specialized tissues that line various cavities and structures within the body, primarily those that are exposed to the external environment or open to the internal environment. These membranes function to protect the underlying tissues, produce mucus to keep surfaces moist, and aid in absorption and secretion. The mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals are all examples of areas lined by mucous membranes. In the mouth, the mucous membrane protects the oral cavity and facilitates functions such as tasting and swallowing. The nose is lined with mucous membranes that play a crucial role in humidifying and filtering the air we breathe. Similarly, the eyes have a conjunctival membrane that helps keep the eye moist, and the genitals are also protected and maintained by mucous membranes. In contrast, the other choices refer to body parts that do not have this specific lining. The skin, arms, and legs are covered by a different type of tissue known as epithelial tissue, which serves protective functions but is not classified as mucous membrane. The heart and lungs, while they do have linings (such as pleura in the lungs), do not have mucous membranes in the way that the specified structures do. Therefore, the correct choice accurately identifies the body parts that are indeed