Why are the nociceptors of your butthole similar to your mouth and not more like the rest of your skin?

Question

What is the benefit of your butthole having the same reaction to capsaicin as your mouth opposed to the reaction on your fingers?

In: 35

Answer 1

You don’t have “skin” in your mouth or anus. You have “mucosa.” It’s different from skin. For one thing, it doesn’t have all those layers of protective keratin. It is much more permeable to water and noxious chemicals like capsaicin.