Histology

Department

Topic: GIT (Small intestine)

By Dr: Doaa M. Khaled, Lecturer of Medical
Histology
 Objectives
- Describe the histological structure
(LM &EM) of small intestine

- Identify the different cell types

lining the intestinal mucosa by
(LM&EM)

-Mention function of each cell

 The Small Intestine
-The small intestine is the site
where food digestion are
completed and the nutrients
(products of digestion) are
absorbed by cells of epithelial
lining.
- Nearly 5 m …longest
segment of digestive tube ??
Consists of:-
A. THE DUODENUM: First part,
around the head of the
pancreas.
B. THE JEJUNUM: Middle part
C. THE ILEUM: Last portion.
The intestine mucosa
has wide surface area
for absorption. how?
1- Plicae circularis increase
the intestinal surface 3
times
2- The villi increase the
intestinal surface 10
times.
3- The LINING CELLS of each
villus have apical striated
borders (3000 microvilli)
increase surface area 20
times.
Microvilli, villi and plicae circulares (imp structure in
organ specialized for nutrients absorption )increase the
mucosal surface area in contact with nutrients in the
Lumen……What is difference between Plicae circularis &
gastric rougae?
The wall of the small intestine is
formed of:
1) The mucosa:
• Shows prominent circular folds called plicae
circularis, formed of mucosa and the
underlyin g submucosa.
• The plicae are well developed in the jejunum.
 Intestinal
The mucosa of the villus

small intestine is
formed of:
Mucosal projections called
villi …project into the
lumen, has core of
lamina propria &
covered by a simple
columnar epithelium
(enterocyte )
LM OF intestinal villus
A- Surface epithelium
B- Core of lamina propria that contains:
1. fibroblast, Plasma cells, and
lymphocytes.
2. Central lacteals : dilated lymph vessels
that help in fat absorption
3. Fenestrated capillaries: transport the
absorbed food
4. Smooth muscle fibers :
➢ Extend from muscularis mucosa to
surround the lacteals.
➢ Attach the tip of the villus to help in its
movement and increase the absorption
efficiency
VILLUS EPITHELIUM:
There are 5 types of cells covering the villus.
1. Columnar absorptive cells (Enterocytes).
2. Goblet cells.
3- Paneth cells
4. Enteroendocrine cells.
5- Stem cell
6. Membrane-like epithelial cells (M cell).
• Between the villi, there
are the opening of short
tubular gland called
intestinal gland or
(crypts of
Leiberkühn):

• The epithelium of the

intestinal glands includes
differentiating stem cells
for all cells types of the
small intestine.
 1) COLUMNAR ABSORBING CELLS
(ENTEROCYTES)
SITE: Over the villi and superficial
parts of the crypts
LM:
- Tall columnar cells with oval
basal nuclei.
- Have brush (striated) free
borders.
EM:
➢Striated border= Microvilli
➢Microvilli covered by cell coat
 How does the enterocyte
adapt to its function?
EM:
1- Have numerous microvilli over the
free borders covered by glycocalyx
through which the nutrients are taken
into the cells……Terminal digestion of
carbohydrates and proteins (by the
enzymes in their glycocalyx as
disacchardase & peptidase ).

2- Absorption of monosaccharides,
amino acids & fatty acids.

3- Enterocytes are held together by

junctional complexes
Seal the intestinal lumen from the
lamina propria
4- Contain Golgi A & sER Formation of
chylomicron
 1) Enterocytes
By L.M. By E.M.
 2) GOBLET CELLS
SITE:
➢ Among absorptive enterocyte cells
over the villi and
superficial parts of the crypts.
➢ less abundant in the duodenum and
increase as they approach the ileum.
LM:
- Unicellular mucus-secreting glands.
- Full of mucinogen globules, which
dissolve during paraffin technique
leaving clear apical part.

Function: lubrication &protection of

intestinal Lining against abrasions of
food
 2) Goblet cell
By L.M. By E.M.
 3) PANETH CELLS
Site:
In groups at the base of the
crypts.
LM:
- Pyramidal cells with
constricted apical parts and
indistinct cell boundaries.

- Have oval basal nuclei and

basophilic cytoplasm with basal
basophilia. Their apical parts
contain acidophilic zymogenic
granules. (LIKE PEPTIC CELL)
LM OF PANETH CELLS
 3) Paneth cell
By L.M. By E.M.

Enterocytes

Zymogen
granules

Paneth cell Basal basophillic

striation
EM:
• Abundant rER
• Prominent Golgi complex
• Membrane bound apical
zymogen granules, their contents
discharged into the lumen by
exocytosis

FUNCTION:
• They secrete lysozyme, which
has a bactericidal effect and may
play a role in controlling the
intestinal flora.
They also secrete other
antimicrobial peptides
(defensins) & phospholipase A2.
 4-Enteroendocrine cells:

➢ Similar to those of STOMACH .

➢ Secreting various peptide hormones

➢ Many of these are of the “open” type, in which the apical
end of the cell contacts the intestinal lumen and has
chemoreceptors similar to those of taste buds, sampling
levels of certain nutrients such as sugars to regulate
hormone release basally

➢ FOR EXAMPLE: I & MO CELLS ????? TABLE (15-1) PRINCIPLE

ENTEROENDOCRINE CELLS IN GIT
Enteroendocrine cells
Microvilli

Basal
secretory
granules
➢ Activation of these cells by nutrients triggers the release at the
basolateral membranes of peptide factors ( including satiation peptides)--
-- diffuse through extracellular fluid to enter capillaries (endocrine) or to
bind receptors on nearby nerve terminals, smooth muscle fibers, or other
cells (paracrine)
➢ Hormones from enteroendocrine cells act in a coordinated manner to
control gut motility; regulate secretion of enzymes, HCl, bile, and other
components for digestion & produce sense of satiety in the brain
5) Crypt base columnar cells(Stem cells)
Site:
➢ Short cells at the
base of the crypts.
➢ They are considered
the stem cells of the
intestinal epithelium.
LM:
➢ Abundant free
ribosomes
RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS
BASOPHILIA.
 6-Membrane –like epithelial cells (M-Cells)
Site & Shape:
- Between the Enterocytes of
the ileum overlying The
lymphoid follicles of peyer's
patches.
- Dome-shaped cells with basal
cavity that become packed with
intraepithelial leukocytes.
LM: can’t be seen in routine
preparation
EM:
numerous basal membrane
invaginations containing many intra-
epithelial lymphocytes and antigen
presenting cells (macrophages).
Function of M cell (antigen presenting cell):
Transport samples of intra-luminal antigens as
(bacteria, viruses, and parasitic microorganisms).across the
cytoplasm to the lymphocytes and macrophages
(Intrepithelial leucocyte) in the lamina propria, to
initiate immune response.
8) Membrane –like epithelial cell
M (microfold-Cell)
M cell

Enterocyte

Lymphocytes

Macrophage
Types of epithelial cells in villous &
crypt of the small intestine
 Other layers
II) THE SUBMUCOSA:
➢ Loose CT, containing larger blood vessels,
lymphatics and Meissner nerve plexus
➢In duodenum, it contains Brunner’s glands
(mucous glands).While in ileum, it contains
Peyer’s patches (lymphoid nodules).
Brunner’s glands:
• Found in the submucosa of
duodenum (PROXIMAL
PART).

• Has small excretory ducts

opening among the
intestinal crypt .

- They are mucous secreting

cells

- Their function is to
neutralize the pH of the
chyme entering the
duodenum from the
pylorus by their alkaline
mucous .
 Peyer's patches:
- large aggregates of lymphatic
nodules .

-They are confined to the side

of the intestine apposite
mesenteric side of ilium .

- Present in lamina propria and

extend through the
muscularis mucosa into the
submucosa.

- The epithelial covering these

patches contains M cells.
3) The muscle layer (musculosa):
• It consists of two layers: an inner circular and
an outer longitudinal smooth muscle fibers.
• Auerbach's plexus of nerves is found between
them.
4) The serosa:
• It is the outermost layer of the wall of the
intestine.
• It consists of a layer of mesothelial cells
covering a coat of loose connective tissue.
Characteristic features
of the different parts of
the small intestine
 Intestinal villi

The duodenum
IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY:
1) Presence of
mucus glands in
the submucosa Paneth cells
(Brunner's glands)
Brunner’s
2) The villi are broad glands
and leaf-like.
3) No Payer's patches
in the submucosa.
 Intestinal villi

The jejunum
IT IS CHARACTERIZED
BY: Mucosa

1) no Brunner's
glands or Peyer's
patches in Submucosa

submucosa Muscle

2) The villi are long

layer

Serosa

and slender.
 Deodenum JEJUNUM ILLIUM

villi Short or Long and slender Broad and leaf-like

abscent over
the villi
submucosa 1)- Contains neither Contains Peyer’s
Contains glands nor patches patches, may extend
through the lamina
Brunner’s propria. considered
glands only. one of the GALT (Gut
associated lymphatic
tissue).

2)-M cell present

between its surface
epithelium.
The jejunum
The Ileum
The Ileum

Peyer’s
patches
The jejunum The duodenum
Intestinal villi

Brunner’s
gland
Epithelial cell renewal in small intestine:
- This turnover is believed to occur every 3-5
days.
-The crypt base columnar cells divide in the
crypts and reach the villous surface within one
day.

-
CHANGES AT THE PYLORODUODENAL JUNCTION
(WILL BE COVERED IN LABS):
The following changes occur from the pylorus to the
duodenum:
1. the surface epithelium with underlying lamina
propria appear to form the intestinal villi.
2. Intestinal crypts replace the pyloric glands in the
corium of the duodenum.
3. The surface epithelial cells acquire a brush
(striated) borders. Goblet cells appear between them.
4. The muscularis mucosa passes without any change.
5. The Brunner's glands appear in the submucosa of
the duodenum.
6. The serosa passes without any change.
 THE PYLORO-DUODENAL JUNCTION

Pyloric
glands Villi of the
duodenum

Mucosa

Submucosa
Brunner's glands

Muscle layer

Serosa
 TEST YOUSELF
Which of the following is true concerning
the pointed cells?
A- It is located in the villus of the small
intestine
B- It control the intestinal flora
C- It migrates upward and downward
to replace the cells of villi and crypt
D- It has basal secretory granules
Which of the following cells has immunological
function?
A- Enterocyte
B- Goblet cell
C- M-cell
D- Stem cell
 Reference
• Junqueira’s Basic
Histology, Chapter
15 ), Digestive Tract