The histological structure of the oral mucosa influences drug absorption in several ways: - Thickness of Epithelium: Thinner epithelium, as seen in the sublingual and buccal regions, facilitates faster absorption. - Keratinization: Keratinized areas have a thicker protective layer, which can impede drug penetration. - Vascularization: Areas with high vascularization, such as the sublingual region, enable quicker systemic uptake of drugs.