Histology of the Digestive System Part III: small and large intestine Flashcards
List the four main layers of the digestive tract.
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis Externa (Muscularis Propria)
- Aventitia/Serosa
What are the 3 sublayers of the mucosa?
- Epithelium
- Lamina Propria
- Muscularis mucosae
In which layers of the digestive tube might you find lymphoid cells to varying degree depending on the portion of the digestive tube you are in?
Submucosa or Lamina Propria
What are the three portions of the small intestine?
Duodenum, jejunum, ileum
What are the three functions of the small intestine?
- Absorb nutrients
- Complete food digestion
- Secrete hormones
List the two special features of the small intestine.
- The submucosa contains special glands in specific portions
- There are collections of lymphoid aggregates throughout he small intestine in the submucosa and in the lamina propria. These lymphoid aggregates are very organized in specific parts of the ileum.
How many layers of muscle will you find in the muscularis externa of the the small intestine?
2: circular and longitudinal
What plexus lies in between the muscular layers of the muscularis externa?
myenteric plexus (Auerbach’s plexus)
Would you expect a histological slide of the small intestine to have serosa or adventitia?
Serosa, the small intestine is inside the abdomen and is thus covered by visceral peritoneum, otherwise referred to as serosa.
What 3 features, found in the small intestine, function to increase absorptive area?
- Plicae circulares
- Villi
- Microvilli
In the small intestine, what structures are formed by circular folds of the mucosa and submucosa?
plicae circulares
Which cells lining the villi have microvilli on their luminal surface?
enterocytes
What special feature of the small intestine will you find covering the plicae circulares?
villi; small like finger projections covered with enterocyte and goblet cells
What cell types cover the villi?
- enterocytes
2. goblet cells
Which histological layers are NOT folded into the plicae circulares?
- Muscularis externa
2. Serosa
Which histological layers forms the core of the plicae circulares?
submucosa; this layer is very vascularized
Which histological layer forms the core of the villi?
lamina propria
Plicae circulares are comprised of folds from which 2 histological layers?
submucosa and mucosa; however, the highly vascularized submucosa makes the core.
Villi are comprised of fold from which 2 histological layers?
epihelium and lamina propria; however, the lamina propria makes up the core
What makes up the brush border of the small intestine?
microvilli that protrude from the luminal surface of enterocyte cells.
A histological specimen from the small intestine of someone with this disease will show flat villi with virtually no brush border and a marked increase of lymphocytes in the epithelium..
Celiac disease
Which cells in the small intestine are the main absorptive cells?
Enterocytes
Name the cell.
- Columnar epithelial cells
- microvilli on the luminal surface
- main absorptive cells in the small intestine
Enterocytes
Name the cell.
- Scattered amongst enterocytes
- secrete mucus for protection and lubrication
Goblet cells
Aside from goblet cells and enterocytes, what other cells might you find scattered in the epithelium of the small intestine?
scattered intraepithelial lymphocytes
What cells and structures would you expect to find in the core of the villi?
lymphocytes
smooth muscle
central lacteal
What surface protein would you find covering the microvilli?
glycocalyx
What is glycoalyx? What is the function of glycocalyx?
A glycoprotein that coats the cell surface. It serves a protective function as it houses digestive enzymes like lactase.
What would you call an individual with defective lactase enzyme in their glycocalyx.
A human (hahaha!); you would call them lactose intolerant.
What special structure can you find in the lamina propria of the small intestine that is specific to the this organ?
lacteal
List the contents of the lamina propria
- lacteal
- Lymphoid cells (lymphocytes, marcophages, eosinophils, mast cells, plasma cells: most abundant here)
- smooth muscle from the muscularis mucosae
- Loose fibrous connective tissue
- neurovascular structures
What is the lacteal?
It is a central lymphoid capillary inside the villus.
Does the lacteal collect lymph?
NO, it collects lipids that are absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine.
Describe the path of lipids into the body, beginning at the lumen.
- lipids are absorbed through enterocytes
- lipids travel to inside the lacteal
- lipids enter larger lymphoid vessels
- lipids ultimately end up in the thoracic duct
Do the products of protein and carbohydrate metabolism follow lipids into the lacteal?
NO, amino acids and sugars go through the intestinal capillaries to the portal system of the liver.
Do lipids ever go to the liver?
Yes, some lipids (short chain fatty acids and glycerol) go to the portal system via intestinal capillaries. Furthermore, all the lipids that entered the lacteal eventually go from the thoracic duct tot he general systemic circulation and thus end up at the liver.
What is the name of the intestinal glands/ crypts found in the small intestine?
crypts of Lieberkuhn
Crypts of Lieberkuhn in the small intestine are similar to what structures in the stomach?
stomach glands
What layer is found at the base of the intestinal crypt?
muscularis mucosae
What layer surrounds the crypts of Lieberkuhn?
lamina propria
List the six types of cells you might find in an intestinal gland/crypt of Lieberkuhn.
- Enterocytes
- Goblet cells:
- Enodcrine Cells: many types that secrete (motilin, CCK, ghrelin, GIP and secretin)
- Enterochromaffin cells: secrete serotonin
- Stem cells: replace all other cells
- Paneth cells: prevent infection by released defensins
Describe the appearance of a Paneth cell.
Large pink cell with large pink granules (full of defensins that protect against infection).
Where are in the vili are the paneth cells located?
In the crypts, at the base of the gland.
Which cells in the glands of the small intestine are capable of phagocytic activity?
Paneth cells; they contain immunoglobulins, defensins and lysozymes
What is the exact function of the Paneth cells.
The exact function of Paneth cells is unknown, but it is accepted that they play a large role in innate immunity.
What is the specific name of the intestinal glands?
crypts of Lieberkuhn
Name the hormone secreted by the following cell: Mo cell
secretes motilin
Name the hormone secreted by the following cell: I cells
secrete CCK
Name the hormone secreted by the following cell: P/D1 cells
secrete ghrelin
Name the hormone secreted by the following cell: K cells
secrete GIP