Those areas of the mucosa of the mouth that have become keratinized due to the friction and abrasion of the masticatory process, esp. the gingivae and hard palate.See also: mucosa
mas·ti·ca·to·ry mu·co·sa
(masti-kă-tōr-ē myū-kōsă) Oral mucosa covered by stratified squamous epithelium that can withstand forces of mastication.