SGL 2 (Small Intestine)

HISTOLOGY OF DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
Small intestine
The small intestine consists of three
portions
• The long of it is about 5-9m.
• a-Duodenum long about 25cm.
• b-Jejunum form about 2.5m long about 2/5 of
total length.
• c- Ileum form 3/5 of total length about 3.5 m
long.
• The wall of the small intestine is made up of the
four layers, mucosa, submucosa, muscularis &
serosa.
The Mucous membrane:
• The surface area of the mucous membrane of the

small intestine is extenxive to perform its main
function of absorption of food & this is achieved by:
• 1-The considerable length of the intestine.
• 2-The presence of numerous circular folds in the
mucosa.
• 3-The presence of villi.
• 4-The presence of crypts.
• 5-The presences of microvilli.
Circular folds:
• Are also called valves of Kerkring.
• Each folds is made up of all layers
of the mucosa
• Are large, they are absent in the
first one or two inches of
duodenum.
• Gradually become fewer & less
marked in the ileum.
• The terminal parts of the ileum
have no such folds.
• The circular folds tend to slow
down the passage of contents
through the small intestine, thus
facilitating absorption.

Villi:
• Are finger-like processes that project from the surface of the mucosa into
the lumen.
• They consist of a core of reticular tissue covered by surface epithelium.
• The connective tissue core contains numerous blood capillaries forming a
plexus. The endothelium lining the capillaries is fenestrated thus allowing
rapid absorption of nutrients into the blood.
• Each villus contains a central lymphatic vessel called Lacteal
• Also some muscle fibers derived from the muscularis mucosa extend into
the villus core.
• In some area the villi are flattened & leaf like. While in some other area
are in the form of ridges.
• Are largest & most numerous in the duodenum & they are decreased in
size & number gradually toward the end of the small intestine
The Crypts: (The crypts of Liebekhun)
• Are tubular invagination of

the epithelium into the
lamina propria.
• They are really simple
tubular intestinal glands
that are lined by
epithelium.
• The epithelium is
supported on the outside
by a basement membrane.
Microvilli:
• Each microvillus has a wall of plasma
membrane within which there are fine
filaments.
• These filaments are continuous with a plexus
of a similar filaments present in the apical
part of the cell & is called the terminal web.
• The surface of each microvillus is covered by
a layer of fine fibrils & mucous glycocalyx.
The Epithelial lining:
• Consist of mainly of columnar cells that are specialized for
absorption.
• Among the columnar cells there are mucous secreting
goblet cells.
• The crypts are lined mainly by undifferentiated cells that
multiply to give rise to absorptive columnar cell & goblet
cells.
• Near the base of the crypts there are paneth cells that
secrete enzymes.
• Endocrine cells are also present that have membrane bound
granules filled with various neuroactive peptides.
Absorptive columnar cells:
• These are tall columnar cells,
has an oval nucleus in its
lower part.
• When seen with light
microscope the luminal
surface of the cell appears to
be thickened & to have
striations init.
• With the EM this striated or
(brush) border is seen to be
produced by microvilli which
increase the absorptive
surface of the cell.
Goblet cells:
• Are found between absorptive cells

mainly in the upper two-third of the
crypts.
• Each goblet cell has expanded upper
part that is distended with mucin
granules & has a narrow stem
attached to a base.
• The nucleus is flattened & is located
near the base of the cell.
• Goblet cells are few in number in the
duodenum & they increase toward the
end of small intestine so they become
most numerous in the terminal ileum.

Paneth cells:
• Are found only in the deeper

parts of intestinal crypts.
• They contain prominent
eosinophilic secretory granules.
• Are rich in zinc. Have a life span
of about 1mouth.
• The function of these cells is not
well known. They are known to
produce lysozyme which destroys
bacteria.
• They may also produce other
enzymes.
Endocrine cells:
• Are most numerous near the
lower end of the crypts.
• These cells contain membrane
bound vesicles filled with
neuroactive substances.
• Are triangular in shape,
• Their nuclei are spherical
• Their cytoplasm pale stained.
• They produce-vasoactive
intestinal polypeptide,
somatostatin & other
substances--
Lymphoid tissues of the small intestine:

• Solitary & aggregated lymphatic follicles (Peyer’s patches) are
present in the lamina propria of the small intestine.
• These follicles become more numerous & larger toward the end
of small intestine. They are most prominent in the terminal ileum.
• Their lymphoid tissue may extend into the submucosa.
• Villi are few or missing in the mucosa overlying aggregated
follicles.
• The epithelium overlying lymphatic follicles contain special
follicle associated cells or M-cell (M-for microfold or membrane)
(Antigen presenting cells APC).
• They take up antigens present in the lumen of the intestine
Jejunum
Ileum
Distinguishing features of Duodenum, Jejunum & Ileum:
• 1-The main distinguishing feature of small intestine

from other parts of gut is the presence of villi.
• 2-The duodenum is easily distinguished from the
jejunum & ileum is the presence of gland in its
submucosa which is not found in jejunum & ileum.
This gland called Brunner’s gland
• 3- The jejunum characterized by a larger diameter, a
thicker wall, larger and more numerous circular
folds, larger villi, absent of lymphatic follicle &
greater vascularity than the ileum.
• The ileum contains large lymphatic follicles.
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HISTOLOGY OF DIGESTIVE

• The surface area of the mucous membrane of the

• Are tubular invagination of

• Are found between absorptive cells

• Are found only in the deeper

• 1-The main distinguishing feature of small intestine

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