Histology of the Small Intestine Flashcards
What are the main histological layers of the small intestine?
The main histological layers of the small intestine include the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa.
Describe the histological structure of the mucosa in the small intestine.
The histological structure of the mucosa in the small intestine includes villi, crypts, and epithelial cells.
Explain the function of intestinal villi.
Intestinal villi increase the surface area for absorption and contain blood vessels and lacteals.
What are microvilli, and where are they located?
Microvilli are tiny projections on the surface of enterocytes, increasing the absorptive surface area.
Describe the structure and function of goblet cells.
Goblet cells secrete mucus, providing lubrication and protection to the intestinal epithelium.
What is the function of enterocytes?
Enterocytes are absorptive cells responsible for nutrient absorption in the small intestine.
Explain the role of Paneth cells in the small intestine.
Paneth cells secrete antimicrobial peptides and enzymes involved in innate immunity.
Describe the structure and function of intestinal crypts.
Intestinal crypts contain stem cells responsible for epithelial cell renewal and regeneration.
What are Brunner’s glands, and where are they located?
Brunner’s glands are mucous-secreting glands located in the submucosa of the duodenum, providing alkaline mucus to neutralize stomach acid.
Explain the significance of Peyer’s patches in the small intestine.
Peyer’s patches are lymphoid nodules found in the submucosa of the small intestine, contributing to mucosal immunity.
Describe the histological features of the submucosa in the small intestine.
The submucosa of the small intestine contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve fibers.
What is the muscularis externa, and what is its function?
The muscularis externa consists of smooth muscle layers responsible for peristalsis and mixing of intestinal contents.
Explain the innervation of the small intestine.
The small intestine is innervated by the enteric nervous system, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nerves.
Describe the blood supply to the small intestine.
The blood supply to the small intestine includes branches of the superior mesenteric artery.
What is the function of lacteals in the small intestine?
Lacteals are lymphatic vessels in intestinal villi responsible for absorbing dietary fats.
Explain the role of lymphatic vessels in the small intestine.
Lymphatic vessels in the small intestine transport immune cells and absorbed fats to the lymphatic system.
Describe the histological characteristics of the serosa in the small intestine.
The serosa is the outermost layer of the small intestine, composed of connective tissue and mesothelium.
What is the function of the small intestine in digestion and absorption?
The small intestine is primarily involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.
Describe the structure and function of the duodenum.
The duodenum has submucosal Brunner’s glands and receives bile and pancreatic secretions.
What are the major histological features of the jejunum?
The jejunum has tall and closely packed villi, abundant in absorptive cells.
Describe the histological characteristics of the ileum.
The ileum has shorter villi and more lymphoid tissue, including Peyer’s patches.
Explain the role of the ileocecal valve.
The ileocecal valve regulates the flow of chyme from the small intestine into the large intestine.
Describe the histological differences between the small intestine and large intestine.
The small intestine has longer and more prominent villi compared to the large intestine.
What are some common histopathological findings in the small intestine?
Common histopathological findings in the small intestine include inflammation, ulceration, and villous atrophy.
