What Is the Function of the Cheek Cell?
A cheek cell, an epithelial cell found in the tissue on the inside lining of the mouth, continually secretes mucus to maintains a moist environment in the mouth. Together with salivary glands that secrete saliva, the cheek cells supply enough moisture in the mouth for enzymes to thrive. This moisture softens food, assists in swallowing and starts digestion.
The epithelial cells in the lining of the mouth are referred to as basal mucosa and divide roughly every 24 hours. They can easily be obtained through a simple swab or a mouth rinse. The cheek cell is very simple, but it contains the entire genetic makeup of the person’s body. For this reason, cheek cells are frequently used to establish paternity and other investigations involving DNA. More recently, researchers have discovered that the cheek cell can be used to measure a person’s likelihood of having high blood pressure.