- stratified squamous, both keratinized (ortho & para) and non-keratinized
- derived from ectoderm, like skin, not endoderm like rest of gut
- renewed every 1-2 weeks
- contains many lymphocytes in loose aggregates, as well as the tonsils
- 3 x 109 PMNs enter lamina propria of mouth and throat daily
- contains smali mixed sero/mucous salivary glands