The air passages of the human body, including the nose, mouth, trachea and lungs, as well as the digestive tract are all lined with specialized cells and tissues referred to as mucosa. This tissue is moist and releases thick fluid called mucus, which has many purposes. Some of its many functions are to help block foreign invaders from infecting the body and to host specialized immune cells. Cigarette smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, and can have significant damaging effects on the mucosal lining of the airways.
Bronchial Mucosa Damage
The bronchial mucosa is the mucus-producing tissue that lines the trachea and lungs. It contains specialized cells called cilia that act as a physical barrier to allergens, bacteria and other invaders. These cilia flow or move in a beating action which helps sweep foreign substances back up the airway and out of the body. Cigarette smoke affects bronchial mucosa in several ways. It can paralyze the cilia and cause them to abort their beating movements, allowing harmful substances to be deposited into the lungs. According to Nursing Times, cigarette smoke can cause the loss of cilia and cilia hypertrophy. Cigarette smoke also constantly irritates and inflames the bronchial mucosa, leading to chronic bronchitis.
Oral Cancer
The oral and buccal mucosa are the mucosal membranes that line the mouth and hard palate. This mucosa can also be greatly affected in many different ways by cigarette smoke. Oral cancer, also known as squamous cell carcinoma, is the out-of-control growth of mucosal cells. According to the Maxillofacial Center for Education and Research, at least 80 percent of oral cancer patients are smokers.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a precancerous change to the mucosa that causes white patches to grow in the mouth. Leukoplakia is usually benign and not harmful, but can be a first stage of cancer development. Cigarette smoke is the main culprit in the development of leukoplakia, says MayoClinic.com. Usually cessation of cigarette smoking will clear early cases of leukoplakia, but if it shows signs of cancer, surgical removal may be suggested.
Sub-Mucosal Fibrosis
Sub-mucosal fibrosis is a condition in which the mucosal lining progressively stiffens and hardens to the point where it is difficult for a patient to even open his mouth, says the Maxillofacial Center for Education and Research. It also is a precancerous condition caused by mucosal changes due to cigarette smoking.
